The development of the Coalition for Oral Health for the Aging.

Ro le o f s t a t e coa l i t i on s The mission of the Coalition for Oral Health for the Aging (COHA; www.micoha.org) is to improve the oral health of older people through advocacy, professional education, public education, and research by focusing on prevention, health promotion, and evidence-based practices. This mission is achieved through COHA’s organizational goals: (1) to be a resource for providers of care for the aging and special needs populations; (2) to promote the implementation of policies that support evidence-based strategies that provide optimal oral health for the aging; and (3) to develop collaborative partnerships that address the oral health needs of the aging and special needs populations. As the elderly population grows, it is critical that stakeholders within states network, organize, and collaborate to address the geriatric oral health care needs in their regions. Often, this collaboration occurs through specialty professional organizations. However, since geriatric dentistry is not a recognized dental specialty, most states do not have organizations with providers who care for the oral health of the elderly. One of the functions of COHA is to fulfill the role of a statewide professional organization for oral health care providers. All members are encouraged to achieve membership in the Special Care Dentistry Association and participate at a national level as well. Unlike a professional organization, a coalition can expand membership beyond the providers within the profession. Addressing geriatric oral health requires the collaboration of persons within the dental profession with those persons who have expertise in care of the aging and persons with disabilities. Therefore, it is critical that COHA membership include representation from a very broad base.