West Central Health District highlights National Public Health Week, announces dental outreach and workforce expansion

Megan Fino, executive director of the West Central Health District, presented to the board about National Public Health Week and described ongoing program priorities for the region, including prevention, environmental health monitoring, mental-health supports and substance-misuse prevention.

Fino said public health in rural Nebraska often focuses on access issues such as transportation and preventive services. She described the district’s work to strengthen partnerships and programs across six counties and said the health district recently received funding that will allow an expansion of the community health worker workforce.

On dental services, Fino said the district has portable dental equipment from earlier statewide efforts and received an intent-to-award from the state’s Rural Health Transformation program to relaunch a Nebraska Tooth Tour-style outreach program that would provide preventive dental services (cleanings, sealants) in schools and in long-term care settings. She said the health district will recruit a registered dental hygienist and coordinate with regional partners and hospitals to reduce ER usage for dental problems.

Board members praised the district's outreach work and encouraged continued coordination; Fino offered to bring regular updates and thanked the board for support.