Strategies

Expand the role of allied dental professionals (e.g., hygienists, therapists, etc.) via changes to statute, dentist supervision requirements, etc.

Provide financial assistance to working parents, or parents attending school, to pay for child care

Help high school students prepare for college, complete applications, and enroll, especially first-generation applicants and students from families with low incomes

Convene small groups of families for facilitated weekly meetings that include a family meal, structured activities, parent support time, and parent-child play therapy

Support home visits that teach parents about early childhood development and effective parenting strategies, with child development screenings, parental meetings, and links to community resources

Partner with doctors, nurse practitioners, and other medical professionals to incorporate literacy support into regular well-child visits, especially in lower income communities

Provide sealants, fluoride treatment, screening, and other preventive dental care on school grounds via partnerships with dental professionals