For many years it seems that oral health has taken a back seat to other health issues in West Virginia. So much so that West Virginia does not currently have a state plan in place to address the oral health needs of its citizens. A new movement throughout the state however is working to bring oral health concerns into focus.

This fall, nine Oral Health Forums are being held throughout West Virginia. Logan County is privileged to be one of the nine counties chosen to participate in gathering information for a State Oral Health Plan Proposal.

The West Virginia Oral Health Plan Advisory Board has partnered with the Logan County Family Resource Network, PRIDE in Logan County and the UMWA Health & Retirement Funds to bring this forum to Logan County.

The forum will be held on Thursday, October 15, at the Logan County Public Library in the large conference room. Dinner will begin at 5 p.m. and the forum will begin at 6 p.m. Bobbi Jo Muto, Community Oral Health coordinator with the Marshall University School of Medicine will be on hand to facilitate the forum.

“State and local partnerships to develop a State Oral Health Plan in West Virginia is a major step in accomplishing this goal. We would like as many people as possible to attend this event in hopes of getting good feedback and information," said Donnie Haynes with the Office of Maternal Child and Family Health. "We need to see what problems children, families and seniors face."

A State Oral Health Plan would position West Virginia to apply for federal funds to assist in making resources for low cost dental care more accessible. This forum is a great opportunity to discuss oral health needs as a community and as representatives of the state.

All are welcome to attend, however seating is limited. Contact Shannon Meade at 304-752-9536 or Vicki Browning at 304-752-6868 to sign up.