Oral Health Access (OHA)

Coalition Meeting

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February 5th, 2026

Virtual via Zoom

Agenda (Monica 9:05a)

• Introductions, Icebreaker (David)
• Announcements (Monica)
• Project Smile Teen/Tween Data Project (Andrea)
• State Oral Health Data Update CY2023 (Sheree)
• Goal Updates (David)
• Closing comments & Next steps (Sheree)

Icebreaker (David R. 9:05-9:20a)

• Name, Organization, OHA role
• Icebreaker:
• “If you could instantly become an expert in one skill, what would it be and why?”

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Announcements (Monica/All 9:20-9:35a)

• SCHIO Transition to Manifest MedEx: Slides (Dan)
• DataShare Oral Health Progress Page - Status Update
• Children’s Dental Health Month (CDHM)

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• Any other announcements? (All)

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• Access to Care was selected as the focus priority for the CHIP

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• Census Tract 1104.01 was identified as the most burdened community in Santa Cruz County for accessing healthcare.

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• Priority Populations:

1) LatinX parents of children 0-5 who have Medi-Cal, uninsured, or underinsured,

2) LatinX pregnant people who have Medi-Cal, uninsured, or underinsured

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• Potential OHA Goal Integrations:
• Pregnancy, 1T1B, KOHA, FV

Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Updates

Children’s Dental Health Month (CDHM)

2026 OHA Activities:

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• CDHM Social Media Toolkit
• Follow, like, share County Public Health posts on FB, IG: @publichealthscc
• HIP article, MBDS Newsletter
• Clinicians Resource Call: Medical-Dental Integration Goals
• LOHP Newsletter to School Staff and OHA members
• County Press Release

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Project Smile Data Project (Andrea 9:35-9:45)

• Teen/Tween Oral Health Data
• Presentation Slides: 2.5.2026 Slide Deck Presentation

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Medi-Cal Dental Coverage Changes (Sheree 9:45-9:50)

Oral Health Data from the State

https://data.chhs.ca.gov/group/healthcare

CY2023 - Big Picture

Oral Health Data from the State (Sheree 9:45-9:50)

Source: Medi-Cal

60% Goal

64%

19%

62%

18%

Improvement in nearly every age group!

Oral Health Data from the State (Sheree 9:45-9:50)

Source: Medi-Cal

60% Goal

64%

19%

62%

18%

Source: Medi-Cal

Takeaways:

• Not fully recovered to pre-COVID levels
• Biggest gains with 0-2 and 21+ age groups

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Champion Updates (David, All 9:50-10:25a)

• Activity Progress & Support Needed
• Capacity (Dr. Sepi, Dr. Sohn)
• Diabetes (DeAndre)
• Fluoride Varnish (Sarina K., Priscila B., Raquel R)
• Seniors (Laura M., Dr. Sohn)
• Pregnant Patients (Prima H.)
• First Tooth, First Birthday (David B., Christine S.)
• Kinder Oral Health Assessments (KOHA) (Monica N., Heather T.)
• Teens (Monica, Heather T., Jay G.)

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Clinical Capacity Dr. Sepi Taghvaei (Dientes), Dr. Sung Sohn (SPLG)

Goal: Increase the number of Santa Cruz County residents with access to quality dental care by adding clinical capacity.

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Metric: Increase Dientes and SPLG visits by 20%

• Dientes from 42,363 in 2022 to 50,835 by 2028
• SPLG increase from 19,232 in 2022 to 23,078 by 2028

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Diabetes DeAndre James (PVHT)

Goal: Increase oral health access and education for patients with diabetes.

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Metrics: Establish regular mobile clinics for diabetic patients; report on # of visits provided to pre-diabetic and diabetic patients

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Fluoride Varnish Sarina K.(CCAH), Priscila B.(HIP), Raquel R. (County Clinics)

Goal: Increase application of Fluoride Varnish in the medical setting for children ages 6 months to 5 years old by 20%.

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Metric: Using Care Based Incentive (CBI) performance data for Medi-Cal Members in Santa Cruz County, available from the Alliance for children 6 months to 5.9 years old (up until their 6th birthday) who receive at least one topical application. Baseline from 30.86% in 2022.

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Seniors Laura M. (Dientes), Dr. Sohn (SPLG)

Goal: Increase oral health access and education for seniors

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Metric: Increase Medi-Cal dental utilization rates for seniors aged 65+ from 27% in 2022 to 40% by 2028

Progress Update: 26% in 2023

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Pregnant Patients Prima H. (County NFP)

Goal: Increase oral health access and education for pregnant patients

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Metric: Increase Medi-Cal dental utilization rates for pregnant patients from 47% in 2020 to 60% by 2028

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First Tooth, First Birthday, Semillitas

David B. (First 5), Crystal G. (Ventures)

Kindergarten Oral Health Assessments (KOHA) Monica N. (County LOHP), Heather Thomsen (SC County Office of Education)

Goal: Increase participation in Kinder oral health Assessment (KOHA) screenings

Metrics:

• Maintain Medi-Cal dental utilization for children ages 3-9 at 60% through 2028; Progress Update: 63% for 2023
• Increase # of children with proof of an assessment by 50% from 318 for the 21-22 school year to 477 by 27-28 school year
• Increase # of districts reporting KOHA data into SCOHR system from 4/10 in 21-22 school year to 8/10 by 27-28 school year

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Teens Monica N. (County LOHP), Heather T. (COE), Jay G. (SPLG)

Goal: Increase oral health access, engagement, and education for pre-teens and teens

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Metric: Increase Medi-Cal dental utilization rates for teens ages 10-18 from 53% in 2022 to 60% by 2028

Progress Update: 54% in 2023

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Next Steps, Closing Comments (Sheree, 10:30a)

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Next Meeting: May 7th in person or virtual?

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• September 3rd in person
• November 5th virtual

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Adjourn!

Thank you for your participation in OHA and your commitment to Oral Health!