A Multi-level, Multi-Sector Oral Health Literacy Initiative to Reduce Oral Health Disparities and Achieve Health Equity: Early Lessons from the Maryland Model

The state of Maryland’s oral health literacy initiative experience serves as a case study. This experience was stimulated by the tragic death of Deamonte Driver in 2007 and highlights actions taken and lessons learned. It is a story of one state’s response, one that received strong support from state congressional and state legislative leaders, senior government leadership, multiple community and professional groups, foundations, and funding agencies. It is the hope that this experience can be used to inform other states that are working to enhance oral health promotion and disease prevention strategies, or other health conditions, for vulnerable populations.