Time
Time is a significant factor in this program reaching its full potential.
In my proposal, members of this program (JMU faculty and students) would meet to discuss and plan the presentations once a week. These meetings would allow the allocation of jobs and plans to carry out all priorities, which will be listed below.
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There would be bimonthly education events for the target audience to educate and present. These events would only need to be about an hour long.
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The presentations would include impactful graphics to help convey the information in an easy-to-digest and engaging manner. We would cover habits to avoid in order to maintain proper dental care. These habits include avoiding too much coffee or wine because of discoloration, skipping flossing because of plaque build-up, and other habits leading to poor dental health. We then would focus on habits to engage in. These habits include flossing daily, brushing teeth at least twice a day (once in the evening if unable to do so twice a day), using toothpaste with fluoride in it, and proper tooth-brushing techniques. The techniques are essential because incorrect flossing can irritate the gums and/or fail to displace food between the teeth. The technique for brushing teeth is also important because brushing too vigorously or at an incorrect angle can lead to inflammation and gum erosion.
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The next part of the presentation would focus on providing resources. There are plenty of low-cost treatment centers, as previously mentioned, and while they're not accessible to everybody, informing people about such opportunities is crucial. There are also many resources for pursuing financial support eligibility that we could share with the audience as well. Next, we could give the audience physical tools to set them up for success in their dental hygiene journeys (i.e., toothbrushes, floss). These tools will be laid out further down on this web page. We would also provide ways to obtain more supplies from the school once the initial ones run out.
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Finally, we need to create a safe and supportive space for any further questions or assistance required.
Audience
There are numerous organizations in Harrisonburg that assist people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, such as Mercy House, Open Doors, and Our Community Place. One of the jobs of event organizers would be reaching out to programs such as these and inquiring about anyone who may be interested in attending.
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One of the major hindrances about low-cost dental clinics in the U.S. is the location. That's why this program would reach out to neighboring cities and counties as well. Dental health should never be restricted to where one lives.
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This leads into the next important section.
Transportation
Members of this program will volunteer to provide transportation to and from the visitors' locations so that everyone has equal opportunity to learn and receive support, regardless of their own transportation abilities.
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If there are large groups, buses may be needed to transport everyone efficiently. But if there are only a handful of people in any given location, volunteers will be the most cost-effective method.
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Drivers would not be paid for their time or gas, just as they aren't paid when driving for JMU SafeRides, because they are volunteers and receiving volunteer hours for their commitments.
Budget
Unless buses are necessary, there will be no transportation expenses.
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The presentations could be held in the UREC Club Room (220), which offers plenty of space without being overwhelmingly big.
This location also has a projector, meaning that there is no need to spend money on presentation rooms or spaces, such as tent rentals.
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The only significant costs of this program would be the dental supplies.
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The weekly meetings would entail picking specific products, but as an example:
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$0.56 per unit (bulk)
Floss is absolutely imperative for dental health. This floss pack is compact, simple, and would get the job done effectively. Twelve yards of floss should be enough to help someone for at least a couple of weeks
$0.73 per unit (bulk)
This mouthwash helps kill germs and prevent gingivitis. Another benefit is the minty-breath that it gives. Dental-care confidence is a very important factor, and providing confidence in that field may help with motivation or sentiment.
$0.33 per unit (bulk)
This is a soft-bristled toothbrush, which reduces the risk for gum recession or gum irriation.
$1.25 per unit (bulk)
This toothpaste has cavity protection because of the fluoride in it. This or any other toothpaste with fluoride would be helpful for those wishing to improve dental health.
Not accounting for kids, different products being chosen, or any other likely variable, the average cost per audience member would be $2.87.
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Assuming a general estimate of 50 audience members per presentation, each event would incur a cost of around $150.