Advancing Oral Health in Puerto Rico: A Policy Success Story Featuring the Puerto Rico Oral Health Coalition.

INTRODUCTION

Puerto Rico has a higher prevalence of oral diseases compared to the U.S., underscoring the urgent need for preventive measures beyond the dentist's office. In response, the Puerto Rico Oral Health Coalition (PR-OHC) adopted a collaborative approach, bringing together public and private stakeholders to promote oral health across the archipelago.

OBJECTIVE

This article showcases the impact of PR-OHC's efforts in reducing oral health disparities, promoting preventive services for children, and improving access to care by implementing Law No. 63-2017 and the Oral Exam Certificate (OEC) Program.

METHODS

PR-OCH analyzed oral health needs and formulated a mission that included identifying disparities, expanding preventive services, and advocating for evidence-based public health policies. Efforts culminated in legislative action, elevating oral health as a public health issue. The law tasked the Department of Health with the implementation and tracking of an obligatory OEC for students in public and private schools.

RESULTS

The law's implementation resulted in increased preventive dental visits among 1 to 16-year-old children who are beneficiaries of the Government Health Plan (Medicaid funds), the creation of an available and adequate oral health education delivery system, collaborative policy initiatives, and collaborations among stakeholders. After 7 years, 357,867 OEC's have been submitted.

CONCLUSION

PR-OHC's initiatives tackled oral health disparities by promoting routine exams-ensuring early detection, prevention, and treatment-and highlighting the importance of dental homes among school-aged children. The Coalition remains actively engaged in advocating for this policy and maintains a leadership role in advancing oral health, fostering interagency collaboration, and improving access for underserved communities.