Oral Health

About the Office of Oral Health

The mission of the Office of Oral Health is to improve the oral health of the city of Boston by eliminating health disparities and inequities and ensuring access to oral health care for all residents. The vision is that through changes in education, expectations, policies, and systems, all Boston residents will have access to quality, affordable oral health services. The Office of Oral Health works to address these issues at the individual and community level to help lead the movement towards general well-being and sound total health for all.

Projects & Initiatives

Boston Oral Health Improvement Plan
The Office of Oral Health has developed a strategy to implement an oral health surveillance system, bring together a city-based oral health coalition, and create a full Boston Oral Health Improvement Plan to address the oral health needs of the city and improve the oral health of its residents. more>>

Senior Oral Health Project
The Senior Oral Health Project is a free comprehensive dental program to promote and improve the oral health and general health and wellbeing of Boston’s low-income seniors residing in Boston Housing Authority (BHA) public housing. more>>

Oral Health Equity Project
The Oral Health Equity Project is a multi-year partnership and community-based initiative to increase access to dental care and oral health education for low-income Boston elders living in public housing. more>>

Barbershop Oral Health Initiative
The Barbershop Oral Health Initiative is a barbershop-based, client-driven approach to oral health education and health promotion for African American and Latino men and their families.  more>>

Oral Health in Early Childhood
Oral Health in Early Childhood is an initiative to provide support and technical assistance to childcare providers implementing the new Massachusetts tooth brushing regulation.  more>>

Boston Tobacco Prevention
The Office of Oral Health is partnering with Boston Tobacco Prevention, and Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) in their efforts to reduce tobacco use in Boston communities. Free two-week supplies of nicotine patches are being distributed by QuitWorks, a free evidence-based referral service that connects patients with phone-based counseling to help them stop smoking. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit www.makesmokinghistory.org today.

Boston Smoking Cessation Programs

The Office of Oral Health is working in collaboration with the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, Northeastern University, and JSI to implement QuitWorks at dental clinics in 10 - 14 Community Health Centers throughout Boston.  

HIV/AIDS Dental
The HIV Dental Ombudsperson Program (HIV DOP) is a comprehensive dental access program for persons with HIV/AIDS in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire, funded under Ryan White Part A and with funds from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. more>>

News and Resources

Announcements & Advisories
Important information on current public dental health issues facing the community, news on recent oral health initiatives, and community events. more>>

Oral Health Resources and Information
Information on specific issues and topics in oral health, including maternal and child oral health and the 2000 Surgeon General’s report on Oral Health. Also find links to a variety of other resources, materials, and articles. more>>

The Office of Oral Health Team
Meet the members of the Office of Oral Health Team!