Concord, NH - The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health Services (DPHS), Oral Health Program (OHP) has been awarded a three-year grant from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for $940,000. Funds will be used in partnership with community organizations, including Bi-State Primary Care Association and two Federally Qualified Health Centers to support strategies to improve the oral health of low income uninsured children and adults and those covered by Medicaid and Medicare who reside in Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas in rural areas of central and northern NH. The project will take advantage of opportunities presented by the University of New England’s new College of Dental Medicine, the first dental school in northern New England with a goal of training more dental health professionals to practice in rural and underserved areas.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to work with our partners serving rural communities of NH to bring much needed support to increase their capacity to provide oral health services for underserved populations,” said NH’s Public Health Director Dr. José Montero. “This is a step forward in our effort to provide oral health services to both adults and children of these communities.”

For more information on NH oral health activities or the availability of low-cost dental care please visit: http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/bchs/rhpc/oral/index.htm