As part of its educational awareness mission, The Public Education Work Group developed a pilot program designed to teach dentists and their staffs about diabetes and its impact on dental health and teach medical providers about the need for good dental health in diabetes management. The pilot program consisted of curriculum development, lunch and learn sessions in both a hospital setting and a community health center, and a document serving as a bridge connecting the patient’s dentist and medical provider and enabling dental professionals to become active members of patients’ diabetes care teams.

“With the generous support of the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation, we will now be able to expand this pilot program to five other sites,” said Marie Mulroy, of Breathe New Hampshire, who serves as Chair of the Diabetes Coalition’s Public Education Work Group. “With this grant, our work group will be able to provide education for health professionals on the critical role of oral health and its impact on managing diabetes."