Criteria
1. Impact on Community Health
Description: This criterion evaluates the tangible and measurable impact the nominee’s outreach efforts have had on improving the oral health and overall well-being of the community.
Examples: Reduction in oral disease prevalence, increased access to care for underserved populations, or significant improvements in community oral health education and awareness.
2. Sustainability and Long-Term Commitment
Description: This focuses on the nominee’s ability to create programs or initiatives that offer lasting benefits to the community, not just one-time events. The award should highlight sustained efforts or partnerships that lead to long-term improvements.
Examples: Ongoing dental education programs, collaborations with local schools or community centers, or establishment of long-term care models for underserved groups.
3. Inclusivity and Access
Description: The nominee’s efforts to ensure equitable access to dental care and education for all individuals, especially for underrepresented and marginalized groups, should be a primary consideration.
Examples: Providing free or low-cost dental services to underserved populations, offering outreach in non-traditional settings (e.g., homeless shelters, rural areas), or targeting populations with high oral health disparities.
4. Innovative Approaches to Outreach
Description: This evaluates the creativity and effectiveness of the nominee’s methods in reaching and engaging the community. Innovation in overcoming barriers to care, utilizing technology, or integrating dental health into broader community health initiatives would be key here.
Examples: Use of mobile dental clinics, teledentistry services, innovative educational campaigns, or leveraging social media to raise awareness and mobilize resources.
