Potential Service Learning/Capstone Experience Opportunity
Organization name: State of Nebraska Division of Health and Human Services Office of Oral
Health and Dentistry (OOHD)
Organization website: www.dhhs.ne.gov/dental
Organization brief description:
OOHD develops and promotes activities which result in the practice and improvement of the
dental health of the State of Nebraska. We support oral health programs through 20 Local Public
Health Departments, 7 Federally Qualified Health Centers, UNMC College of Dentistry,
Creighton School of Dentistry and several humanitarian clinics.
Organization site contact name and email:
Dental Director, Dr. Charles F. Craft
Contact: #402-471-4599 or #402-432-4482 Email: [email protected]
Description of identified needs and project ideas:

Assistance in completing 2015-2016 Nebraska State Oral Survey of Young Children
Final Report, (entering, analyzing, writing and communicating survey information on
6,000 Head Start and Third grade students in 75 schools).

Help in developing and designing the 2017 Nebraska State Oral Survey of Older Adults
through cooperation with national ASTDD epidemiologist.

Assistance in evaluating DHHS state wide dental campaign projects to promote oral
health and hygiene in 5,000 children (age 0-5) through Head Start / WIC programs and to
6,500 special needs children. Help with kit distribution, educational access and
effectiveness review.

Assist with reporting for existing community prevention programs and state registry of
Public Health Registered Dental Hygienists

Help in developing updated OOHD Website for current content and information.
Description of possible Service Learning activities:
Work closely with the State Dental Director, State Dental Coordinator and other DHHS
programs within the Health Promotion Unit to develop, monitor, analyze and communicate on
existing OOHD prevention programs and activities. See ‘Additional Information’.
Timeframe of proposed activities to begin:
Begin Fall 2016 for four to six months.
Benefit of proposed activities to organization:
OOHD is newly staffed full time and MPH student could help our office in the development
stage of several important dental areas that are critical to state and national epidemiology and
will lead to future improvement of oral health for all Nebraska citizens.
*Note—An affiliation agreement will be required prior to student placement
Potential Service Learning/Capstone Experience Opportunity
Benefit of proposed activities to the student:
Student is able to join Nebraska State Office professional team and understand the public health
activities that are managed at this level. Student would learn fundamentals of public health
dentistry, understand stakeholder involvement and gain skills needed to set statewide prevention
and access to care goals to improve dental outcomes for entire population groups. Will be
involved in two important oral health baseline data projects that will serve as the foundation for
OOHD moving into the future.
Skill sets of students requested, including possible MPH concentration desired:
English competency, computer skills utilizing Microsoft Office products, Epi. info, etc., ability
to research data sources, experience in creating project reports and interest in project
development.
Student with professional dental background or interest in field of oral health would be
welcomed.
Helpful MPH concentrations are biostatistics, epidemiology, health promotion and community
oriented primary care.
Additional Information:
MPH Student may have the opportunity to attend professional dental health meetings and state
dental legislative sessions depending upon availability. They may have a chance to be involved
in the state contract process and auditing procedures. There may be an opportunity to be directly
involved with community public health activities and providing care to underserved populations.
*Note—An affiliation agreement will be required prior to student placement