Located in Cook County, Minnesota, up in the far northeast corner of the state, the Oral Health Task Force has been working since 2012 to improve the oral health of students across the county. A partnership between several local entities and largely volunteer-run, the task force conducts universal oral health screenings in all schools across the county and provides financial support to those seeking care. When Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation heard about positive outcomes from these efforts, they wanted to learn more. Could this framework be replicated in other rural areas? They provided funding to further examine the outcomes and what is working. Wilder Research conducted a study in 2024 to learn more about the task force and the difference it was making for Cook County children.
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Like many rural counties, Cook County residents face substantial barriers to oral health care
Cook County is a large county, sparsely populated and rural. Economic and geographic realities present persistent barriers to accessing oral health care across the county. While many residents have financial means and live in the county as vacationers, others struggle financially and lack access to adequate transportation. For some, the singular dental office in the county is over two hours away.
The Oral Health Task Force sought to address these challenges, starting with school-age children. Since 2016-17, they have provided the following:
- Universal oral health screenings conducted by a local dental hygienist in all Cook County schools.
- Financial assistance for preventative and restorative care for those eligible (90% of costs are covered)
- Culturally relevant community education and outreach
Oral health is improving among children in Cook County
Since launching universal screenings at schools in 2016-17, the Cook County Oral Health Task Force has achieved measurable impact:
- 3,321 dental screenings conducted among children age 5-18 in Cook County schools
- 77% of all school-age children received screenings in 2024-25, up from 58% in 2015-16
- Cavity rates dropped from 17% to 10% among screened students
- $231,400 in dental care was provided between 2017 and 2025, averaging $246 per visit
- $499 average contribution per student in 2024-25 alone
This is dental care that likely wouldn’t have happened without financial support—care that prevented more serious and expensive problems down the road.
Percentage of screened students with cavities, 2015-25
Source: Wilder analysis of OHTF screening data
Note: The total number of students screened varies greatly each year. This may play a factor in variations in the proportion of students with cavities each year. For information about the number of students screened each year, please see Figure 4 in the full report.
“If something happens, I know that we can just go because we only have to pay 10%. And so, it’s really easy to make a decision to not… postpone.”
– Caregiver of recipient of financial support from OHTF
What makes this work?
Wilder interviewed task force members and partners and asked what makes this approach work.
Build the Right Partnerships
- Partner with a willing dentist who accepts Medicaid and embraces collaboration
- Engage health clinics and hospitals to generate referrals and raise family awareness
- Promote data sharing between dental clinics, medical providers, and schools
- Build proximity-based relationships to strengthen communication when possible
- Secure school buy-in early by involving them in advance planning
Define Your Focus
- Clearly define the problem and scope you’re addressing
- Prioritize target populations like children or low-income families
Make It Manageable
- Use opt-out consent for screenings to boost participation rates
- Hire the right hygienist who’s enthusiastic about working with children and engaging school staff
- Start small, then scale as capacity and partnerships grow
Ensure Sustainability
- Recruit local champions who will maintain long-term momentum
- Focus on efficiency and sustainability by considering return on investment
- Leverage storytelling and grant writing to secure ongoing funding
Why This Matters Beyond Cook County
Rural America faces a dental care challenge. As of 2024, approximately 57 million Americans live in areas with a shortage of dental health professionals, with about 67% of these areas located in rural communities. Additionally, preventive dental care access for low-income children and adolescents declined by about 10% from 2016 to 2021 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). Cook County’s model offers hope—and a practical roadmap. Go to where the people are and provide financial support.
The beauty of this approach isn’t just in its outcomes, but in its replicability. These strategies don’t require massive infrastructure or revolutionary technology. They require committed people, smart partnerships, and a willingness to start where you are with what you have.
Your Next Step
Rural communities don’t have to accept poor oral health outcomes as inevitable. The Oral Health Task Force shows that strategic collaboration, focused efforts, and sustainable practices can positively influence children’s health—even among challenging geographic and economic circumstances.
Learn more about the Cook County Oral Health Task Force’s impact and access all project deliverables
About the author
Anna Granias is a research scientist at Wilder Research. She conducts research, evaluation, and strategic planning with a variety of organizations and government agencies, focusing on innovative approaches to community health challenges.
Reference
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Health disparities in oral health. https://www.cdc.gov/oral-health/health-equity/index.html#:~:text=Why%20it’s%20important&text=For%20example:,6
