Initiatives

I-Smile™ Silver 

This pilot project is working to create local systems to help older Iowans prevent dental disease, access oral health care, and maintain good overall health. 

 I-Smile™ Silver contractors (and service areas) include Scott County Health Department (Scott County); Lee County Health Department (Des Moines, Lee, and Van Buren Counties); and Webster County Health Department (Calhoun, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Webster, and Wright Counties).

• More information on I-Smile Silver

 

Mouth Care Matters
An initiative of the Lifelong Smiles Coalition supported by the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation, administered by Iowa CareGivers, that has developed and continues to test and expand a competency-based Oral Health Specialty Training curriculum for Direct Care Professionals serving persons in long term care and community-based, as well as health care settings. Mouth Care Matters is recognized as the first specialty under the State’s Prepare to Care program.  Mouth Care Matters enhances oral care skills of the direct care workforce, one of the largest workforces in Iowa. Partners include the Iowa Dental Hygienists' Association, Iowa Department of Public Health, DMACC, University of Iowa Colleges of Nursing and Dentistry, and University of Iowa National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice.Additional financial support has been received from the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation and Iowa Department of Public Health through a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cooperative Agreement (#DP13-1307.)

Mouth Care Matters Educational Flyers

• Mouth Care Matters Direct Care Professional Flyer
• Mouth Care Matters General Public Flyer
• Mouth Care Matters Employer Flyer

For additional information, contact:

Iowa CareGivers
515-223-2805
http://www.iowacaregivers.org/education/mouth-care-matters.php#
Email:  information@iowacaregivers.org

 

Office of Education and Training

The Office was established in 2014 and is within The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics. The Office will coordinate, develop, and promote training opportunities for oral health professionals, the direct care workforce and those providing care for older adults in Iowa. 

The goal of the Office is to increase access to oral care for nursing home residents and homebound adults by increasing the number of dentists, hygienists, and direct care workers involved with oral health care. 

The Office will actively seek opportunities to further the education of dental and allied health care teams through joint support of the numerous organizations who are a part of Lifelong Smiles project. The Office also serves as a hub in coordinating education and training opportunities for all projects under the Lifelong Smiles Coalition.

• Information on Past and current presentations