641—50.4 (135) Oral health bureau functions. The bureau shall be responsible for the core public health functions of assessment, policy development, and assurance of oral health services in Iowa.
	 50.4(1) Assessment. The bureau shall develop and implement an ongoing oral health surveillance system to evaluate and monitor the oral health status of children and other vulnerable population groups in Iowa. Assessment activities may include the following:
	  a.   	 Assess oral health status and needs so that problems can be identified and addressed.
	  b.   	 Assess determinants of identified oral health needs, including resources.
	  c.   	 Assess the fluoridation status of water systems and other sources of fluoride.
	  d.   	 Identify, investigate, and monitor oral health problems and health hazards.
	 50.4(2) Policy development. The bureau shall facilitate ongoing strategic planning and application of evidence-based research in oral health policy development to improve access to care and the overall oral health of all Iowans. Policy development activities may include the following:
	  a.   	 Develop plans and policies through a collaborative process that supports individual and community oral health efforts to address oral health needs.
	  b.   	 Provide leadership to address oral health problems by maintaining a strong oral health unit within the department.
	  c.   	 Mobilize partnerships with policymakers, professionals, organizations, groups, the public and others to identify and implement solutions to oral health problems.
	 50.4(3) Assurance. The bureau shall assist Iowans in maintaining optimal oral health throughout all stages of life by providing or ensuring infrastructure-building, population-based, and enabling services at the state and local level. Infrastructure-building and enabling services shall target the improvement of access to dental care and prevention. Population-based services shall include public health training and technical assistance, educational activities that increase oral health awareness, and activities that improve dental support systems for families.
The bureau shall leverage federal, state, and local resources to administer grant programs which include Title V maternal and child health, including the Medicaid and EPSDT programs; I-Smile program; dental sealant program; fluoride mouth rinse program; dental care for persons with disabilities program; senior smiles program; and other new and existing programs. Assurance activities may include the following:
	  a.   	 Provide assistance and resources to local public health programs for community capacity-building efforts to identify vulnerable populations and to develop innovative approaches that link people to needed oral health services, including gap-filling direct dental services.
	  b.   	 Inform, educate, and empower the public regarding oral health problems and solutions.
	  c.   	 Promote and enforce laws and regulations that protect and improve oral health, ensure safety, and assure public accountability for the public’s well-being.
	  d.   	 Assure that the public health and personal health workforce has the capacity and expertise to effectively address oral health needs.
	  e.   	 Evaluate the effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of population-based and personal oral health services.
	  f.   	 Conduct research and support projects to gain new insights and promote innovative solutions to oral health problems.