National Oral Health
Policy Center

A HRSA-supported resource to further the understanding of oral
health care financing, workforce, and disparities, in order to inform
policy development and improve the oral health status
of vulnerable populations.

The National Oral Health Policy Center, based at UCLA, was created by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), in order to provide relevant information and data on access to oral health care. The center seeks to identify policy roadblocks and improvements to accessing dental care, with a particular focus on low-income children and families covered by Medicaid, who have been demonstrated to be at high risk for chronic dental caries. The center is also charged with identifying ways in which oral health may be better integrated with other health services.

In order to achieve these goals, the center:

• Provides information and support for national, state, and local (MCHB) programs, and develops policy that advances oral health and dental care for (MCHB) populations. 
   
• Develops policy that can improve the accessibility and availability of oral health services for vulnerable and at-risk populations. 
   
• Stimulates and supports leadership development in oral health policy. 

The center provides consultations and technical assistance to numerous organizations and states; and posts publications and policy briefs on maternal and child health oral health policy. 

James J. Crall
Director

For more information, please contact Robin Flint, Center Coordinator, at (310) 794-0996.