Introduction
Public health programs have to be adequately funded if they are to achieve their objectives and make a positive change to the targeted communities and populations (Rosenbaum, 2015). Based on this elucidation, it is important to look into the funding landscape to have a clear understanding of the funding sources available for the proposed oral health program and what type of funding aligns well with the aims and objectives of the project
Examples of Funding Sources
Available literature demonstrates that oral health programs can receive funding from public or private sources depending on factors such as geographical reach, severity or complexity of the health problem, links to available health systems and structures, as well as the population of interest (Rosenbaum, 2015). A good example of a government funding source for oral health programs is the Medicaid’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit, which basically funds public health programs through reimbursement for outreach and enrollment services (McMorrow & Zuckerman, 2014). However, this funding source does not fit the description of the program’s targeted population (adults) as it is restricted to providing “all Medicaid-eligible children under age twenty-one with comprehensive, preventive, restorative, and emergency dental services” (Lalumandier & Molkentin, 2004, p. 251). The second example of a government funding source for oral health programs is the Centers for Disease Control, which gets money from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to fund state-based programs aimed at monitoring and preventing various health challenges (Rosenbaum, 2015).
Private funding for oral health programs can come from a number of sources. For example, special interest foundations such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Ford Foundation often provide grants for oral health programs and projects without geographical limitations. The second example encompasses the funding that comes from corporate foundations (Rosenbaum, 2015). Here, it is important to note that a number of global companies dealing with oral and dental healthcare products use their corporate foundations to fund community-based projects with the view to addressing the oral health issues affecting populations residing in their markets.
Preferred Funding Source and Justification
Based on this information, it is suggested that corporate foundations should be used to fund the community oral health program that aims to not only educate and empower the targeted population (adults with low socioeconomic status) to take action in preventing and eradicating dental carries, but also to provide treatment options to those already affected by the condition. The justification for selecting this funding source is based on the fact that corporate foundations are more receptive to funding community-based projects, particularly when the proposal is consistent with their corporate interests or need to advance their corporate social responsibility (Lalumandier & Molkentin, 2004). Since a major component of the program is to educate community members on how to use fluoride products to maintain health, it will be easy to sell the idea to a corporate foundation run by a company that manufactures and sells oral health products such as fluoride-based tooth pastes and brushes. In this context, a good example is the Colgate-Palmolive foundation.
Conclusion
This paper has provided several examples of government and private sources of funding, as well as selected the preferred funding source based on the program’s objectives and geographical reach. Overall, the chances of getting funding from a corporate foundation such as Colgate-Palmolive are high based on the fact that the oral health program demonstrates a benefit to the company by providing it with the opportunity to advance its corporate social responsibility through community outreach.
References
Lalumandier, J.A., & Molkentin, K.F. (2004). Establishing, funding, and sustaining a university outreach program in oral health. Health Affairs, 23, 250-254.
McMorrow, S., & Zuckerman, S. (2014). Expanding federal funding to community health centers slows decline in access for low-income adults. Health Services Research, 49, 992-1010.
Rosenbaum, S. (2015). Will health centers go over the “funding cliff”? Milbank Quarterly, 93(1), 32-35. Web.