In June 2019, the U.S. Virgin Islands Dental Association (VIDA) partnered with the American Dental Association (ADA) to convene the U.S. Virgin Islands Oral Health Care Summit, featuring Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and other elected officials to build upon existing oral health initiatives and address the territory’s oral health care needs.

A centerpiece of the plan called for a training program for Community Dental Health Coordinators (CDHCs) at the University of the Virgin Islands. CDHCs work directly with patients in the community to navigate the oral healthcare system and ensure they are receiving the care they need. Serving as an integrated member of the dental team, CDHCs are proven to have a positive impact on both patients and dental practices across the U.S.

The plan also calls for reopening the public dental clinics, as is expected by the Virgin Islands Department of Health, increasing funding for dental services under MAP to increase the number of participating dentists and to reestablish a territorial dental officer in the Department of Health (VI Source, 2019).

The VI MCH & CSHCN Program hopes to add meaningful contributions toward rebuilding a comprehensive system of oral health care.  The Division began discussions with the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) to conduct an oral health needs assessment in the USVI in the fall of 2018.  ASTDD presented to members of the MCH Advisory group on ways to engage and inform key stakeholders in this process. This activity is still underway and will remain a focus for the upcoming year.