Federal Agencies
The Role of Health & Human Services and Its Agencies in Promoting Oral Health
This PowerPoint provides an overview of the federal agencies under Health & Human Services as well as their roles in promoting oral health. (October 2018)
The Role of the Federal Agencies and Regional Offices in Promoting Oral Health - During this "Take 20" from the Oral Health 2020 Network, Marcia K. Brand, Ph.D. who served in a number of positions within HHS throughout her career, most recently as the senior career official, Deputy Administrator, at the Health Resource and Services from 2009 - 2015, provided an overview of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, its structure, and how it supports oral health programs, research, and policy development. The presentation highlights key HHS offices and agencies and their oral health activities. In addition, the role of HHS's 10 regional offices was discussed. Preliminary information about the fiscal year 2018 appropriations for oral health activities, signed into law on March 23rd, was presented. Suggestions for engaging HHS officials and where to learn more about HHS and oral health were shared. (April 2018)
PowerPoint slides
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start (ACF, OHS):
The Office of Head Start awards grants to public and private agencies on a competitive basis to provide comprehensive services to specific communities. Head Start grantees provide the services as described in the Head Start Performance Standards and in accordance with the Head Start Act of 2007. The Office of Head Start is responsible for oversight of these grantees, to ensure the performance standards are met and the best quality of care is provided to the enrolled children. In addition, some cities, states and federal programs offer funding to expand Head Start and Early Head Start to additional children within their jurisdiction.
AHRQ's mission is to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans. AHRQ supports research that helps people make more informed decisions and improves the quality of health care services. The overall focus is: 1) Safety and quality: reduce the risk of harm by promoting delivery of the best possible health care; 2) Effectiveness: improve health care outcomes by encouraging the use of evidence to make informed health care decisions; 3) Efficiency: transform research into practice to facilitate wider access to effective health care services and reduce unnecessary costs.
CDC's mission is to collaborate to create the expertise, information, and tools that people and communities need to protect their health '?? through health promotion, prevention of disease, injury and disability, and preparedness for new health threats. The mission of the Division of Oral Health is to prevent and control oral diseases and conditions by building the knowledge, tools, and networks that promote healthy behaviors and effective public health practices and programs.
Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS):
The mission of CMS is to ensure effective, up-to-date health care coverage and to promote quality care for beneficiaries. The CMS Strategic Action Plan objectives include: Skilled, committed, and highly-motivated workforce; Accurate and predictable payments; High-value health care; Confident, informed consumers; and Collaborative partnerships.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines more effective, safer, and more affordable and by helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to maintain and improve their health. FDA also has responsibility for regulating the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of tobacco products to protect the public health and to reduce tobacco use by minors.
HRSA is an Agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the principal Federal Agency charged with increasing access to health care for those who are medically underserved. HRSA's programmatic portfolio includes a range of programs or initiatives designed to increase access to care, improve quality, and safeguard the health and well-being of the nation's most vulnerable populations. Currently there are 16 Offices and Bureaus, many of interest to dental public health professionals.
The Indian Health Service, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, is the principal federal health care provider and health advocate for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Its goal is to raise their health status to the highest possible level. The IHS provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for American Indians and Alaska Natives who are members of 566 federally recognized Tribes across the U.S.
National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR):
The mission of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is to improve oral, dental and craniofacial health through research, research training, and the dissemination of health information. They accomplish their mission by: 1) Performing and supporting basic and clinical research; 2) Conducting and funding research training and career development programs to ensure an adequate number of talented, well-prepared and diverse investigators; 3) Coordinating and assisting relevant research and research-related activities among all sectors of the research community; 4) Promoting the timely transfer of knowledge gained from research and its implications for health to the public, health professionals, researchers, and policy-makers.
