Bright Smiles Initiative Moves into Bigger Arenas & Includes You

Here is one update you all have been waiting for:

Much of 2017 various organizations have come together and worked throughout different communities, to gather the Voice of the People in regards to dental disparities that we deal with daily.  So many of us have issues to be dealt with in our mouths and let the truth be told, dental issues are the root indicator of future health problems.   This is one of many reasons we went on the "Smile Crusade" to get us all some help.  

So back in September, we shared updates before and after the conference at the Kinau Hale.   We shared with you that we were sharing all of our combined demographics as well as exploring some options with each organization present, which also included the Department of Public Health and Welfare.  They were all equally concerned and wanting to be a part of the solution - at least the representatives who came, were.  Big ups to Gavin Uchida, who is determined to make solutions happen.

However, some communities saw the surveys as a waste of time, claiming that promises are never followed through.  Some did not trust answering anonymous questions on a survey, feeling that sharing their mana'o would somehow steal their mana.  We heard some other complaints of that kind and that's okay.  We shared your concerns, as we should share the honest Voice of the People, and they heard your Voice - our Voices.

After months of compiling data from each island as well as representing the islands that we were unable to get information returned from,  we were able to assure that the smaller islands were able to be put on the list, not ignored, and we were able to compile the mixed demographics from each moku and what we found was astounding... well, to those who don't know financial poverty like some of us do.

Although we are strategically planning on our levels to prepare for the ultimate avocation of your Voice and concerns, we were able to get a schedule to come talk to the communities directly.    You will have to register to have a seat held for you on your island, because the money we were given to be able to handle these matters isn't enough to spend a whole lot on empty space.  We want to save enough at the end to be able to actually do something about the issues we face.  However, we were able to schedule one meeting on each island so far.  Some areas may see a localized meeting pop up, if the numbers from their moku is high enough.  

Please share this post with the information, and if you wish to learn more and register to attend, click here to attend the Oral Health Strategic Planning Session on your island