About Oral Health Colorado

The mission of Oral Health Colorado (OHCO) is to develop and promote strategies that achieve optimal oral health for all Coloradans.

The goals of the organization are to:

  • Educate coalition constituents and the public
  • Help to increase access to comprehensive oral health care
  • Work with both the public and private dental communities to assure that providers are available for all Coloradans
  • Develop communications that will share best practices in a variety of settings
  • Develop and support public policy initiatives that will result in improved oral health for all Coloradans

Download an organization chart.

How we work

  • Utilizing coalition partners at both the state and community levels, OHCO will collaborate in initiatives designed to increase public awareness of oral health as an important component of general health and will work to increase access to care for underserved populations, as well as increasing the effectiveness of public health initiatives (such as fluoridation or oral health care during pregnancy) throughout the state.
  • OHCO will continue to provide strong leadership in advocacy for oral health.  A comprehensive three-year advocacy plan designed to educate policy makers at all levels regarding oral health will assure that OHCO constituents can effectively create orally healthy communities.
  • OHCO will provide a safe environment in which to have the difficult conversations that will occur as diverse coalition partners discuss potentially divisive issues such as implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Medicaid services, funding mechanisms, cultural competency for providers, and workforce development and deployment.
  • OHCO will be the “go to” organization regarding oral health issues when information or technical assistance is needed by policy makers, partners or constituents.
  • OHCO will collaborate with other oral health advocates to identify gaps, identify the most effective way to fill those gaps, and take on responsibility for necessary program development if that is most appropriate.
  • The Colorado Oral Health Plan will be a consensus document developed by diverse oral health advocates across Colorado, and focused on attainable and measurable goals and objectives designed to assist Colorado in becoming the most orally healthy state.  OHCO will be responsible for drafting, and disseminating the plan.