About MDAC:
The Maryland Dental Action Coalition (MDAC), the state’s leading non-governmental oral health policy and advocacy organization, works to improve the health of all Marylanders through increased oral health promotion, disease prevention, education, advocacy and access to oral health care.
The primary goal of MDAC is to develop programs and strategies that improve oral health equity.
The mission of MDAC is to develop and maintain a statewide partnership of individuals and organizations committed to improving the health of all Marylanders through increased oral health promotion, disease prevention, education, advocacy and access to oral health care.
MDAC’s diverse partner network, consisting of both dental and non-dental professionals and organizations, collaborates in three primary focus areas: (1) oral health literacy and education, (2) advocacy and legislation, and (3) interprofessional collaboration.
MDAC leads the development and monitors the progress of the 5-year Maryland Oral Health Plan (MOHP), works to improve the oral health of Maryland children through its Healthy Smiles for Life curriculum and the Healthy Teeth, Healthy Kids campaign, and has a well-demonstrated history of partnership development.
History of MDAC:
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (MDHMH) Secretary John Colmers established the Maryland Dental Action Coalition (MDAC) in 2007 as the Dental Action Committee (DAC) following the death of Deamonte Driver, a 12-year old Maryland boy enrolled in Medicaid, who died from an untreated tooth infection that spread to his brain. The DAC was charged with developing recommendations to increase access to oral health care for all Maryland children. Implementation of the recommendations improved the delivery of oral health care services and established Maryland as a national model in oral health care by making comprehensive dental services available to low-income children on a regular basis. In 2010, the DAC became the Maryland Dental Action Coalition, an independent 501c3 non-profit organization.
