Feedback on Forum

By Larissa Zoot

For me, the highlight of the Head Start and Partners Oral Health Forum was meeting service providers who had previously been involved with the Head Start program as children. In the midst of discussing the challenges of accessing quality oral health care, it was such an inspiration to meet terrific, dynamic, professional adults who fondly remember how Head Start positively affected their lives, and who are now dedicated to giving something back by serving current Head Start families. Perhaps together we can address the challenge of finding pediatric dentists and other providers with the training and willingness to work with our most underserved populations.

The image of "climbing a ladder with one hand reaching up to new accomplishments, and the other hand reaching back down to help others in their climb" reinforces for me the spirit behind all our efforts in oral health. The strongest message I carried with me from the Forum's Region I break-out session was that it is just such leadership at the local level which will be instrumental in reaching our goals.

On August 23, 2000, there was a meeting of the regional T/TA health specialist, the regional health and disabilities liaison, and health services managers from Head Start and Early Head Start programs in the region. The meeting served as a brainstorming and planning session for initiatives targeting oral health.

Larissa Zoot is a EHS Specialist/Health & Disabilities Liaison, Region 1, New England, T: 617-565-1153; E: lzoot@acf.dhhs.gov.