DS26 Dental Sealant Program Solicitation

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH), through its Bureau of Maternal, Child, and Family Health, is offering funding for the Fiscal Year 2026 Dental Sealant Program. This initiative is designed to prevent dental caries among Ohio’s school-aged children through evidence-based, school-based dental sealant services, especially targeting high-risk children and those with special healthcare needs. The program is part of a broader public health strategy aligned with the state’s efforts to enhance oral health equity, improve access to preventative services, and connect underserved populations to ongoing dental care. Funding for this program, totaling $651,301, is sourced from the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Block Grant. ODH expects to fund up to 11 awards under this opportunity, with individual award amounts ranging from a minimum of $30,000 to a maximum of $150,000. These grants are designed as 100% deliverables-based, meaning agencies will be reimbursed for completed services as defined in the deliverables. The program period runs from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, which represents the first budget year of a three-year performance period ending December 31, 2028. Programs may be new or continuing and may apply for funding to establish, expand, or maintain existing dental sealant efforts. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, hospitals, county agencies, and city agencies. Out-of-state applicants may apply but must have an operational office in Ohio, be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State, and serve only Ohio residents. All applicants must be in good financial standing with ODH and not have any unresolved obligations with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Applications are due electronically via the Grants Management Information System Portal (GMISP) no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 11, 2025. The application must include several attachments: Dental Sealant Methodology Supplement, Quality Assurance Report, Verification Form, Budget Planning Worksheets, Fluoride Varnish Worksheets, and Budget Justification and Approval form. Proposals must also include a program narrative addressing goals, staffing, methodology, timelines, and evaluation strategies. Agencies are expected to provide sealants to students in grades 2 and 6 and conduct follow-ups in grades 3 and 7. The inclusion of fluoride varnish applications is strongly encouraged, especially two per student spaced 4–6 months apart. Agencies may also propose serving other grades with justification. A technical assistance session for prospective applicants will be held on July 9, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. via Microsoft Teams. Attendance is not mandatory, but highly encouraged. Evaluation criteria include alignment with public health standards, effectiveness in addressing disparities, adherence to reporting requirements, and demonstration of impact. Successful applicants will be notified via the GMISP system through a Notice of Award, while unsuccessful applicants will be informed within 30 calendar days. Reporting will include quarterly program and expenditure submissions through GMISP, with final expenditure reports due by February 5, 2027. Programmatic inquiries should be directed to Tina Fulks, School-based Oral Health Program Coordinator, at tina.fulks@odh.ohio.gov or by phone at (740) 688-4263. All grant activities must comply with federal, state, and local laws and align with ODH program standards and Uniform Grant Guidelines.

Ensure all attachments are submitted via GMISP. Attend optional bidder’s conference for guidance.