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Background Mission of Mercy (MOM) emergency dental clinics are a resource for populations lacking access to dental care. We designed a MOM event incorporating health equity components with established community partners who shared a common vision of addressing the oral health, physical health, and social service needs of Maryland and Washington, DC area residents. Although studies have explored associations between oral and chronic health conditions, few studies to our knowledge have examined the relationship between these conditions and receipt of dental services. Therefore, this study explored these associations and the opportunity for better care coordination. Methods Oral health data from the 2014 Mid-Maryland Mission of Mercy and Health Equity Festival event was analyzed. A descriptive analysis assessed frequencies and percentages of participant sociodemographics characteristics, oral health and chronic disease risk(s), and dental services delivered. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression were conducted to determine the associations between 1) oral health and chronic disease risk(s) and dental services; and 2) oral health and chronic disease risk(s) and participant characteristics. Results Approximately 66.2% (n = 666) of the 1007 participants had one or more chronic conditions and/or risk factors (diabetes, high blood pressure, and tobacco use). These individuals had a significantly higher likelihood of receiving an oral surgery procedure (specifically, tooth extraction) (only one condition/risk: OR = 2.40, 95%, CI = 1.48–3.90, p

Significant health disparities continue to persist across the cancer control continuum (prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship) despite decreases in cancer mortality and morbidity rates. Public health informatics (PHI) approaches offer the potential to address and reduce cancer health disparities by addressing the underlying social determinants of health. Community engagement, through community-based participatory research (CBPR) in identification, development, evaluation, and implementation offers key advantages to enhanced sustainability, acceptability, and delivery of PHI. The CBPR approach allows community members and stakeholders to provide input from a culturally relevant perspective at each level of the development and/or use of PHIs. This chapter discusses the application of the CBPR approach to improve the use and adoption of informatics tools and platforms through two case study examples that are addressing two major social determinants of health disparities: institutional racism and information inequalities. Three common themes emerged from the two case studies that facilitated successful PHI project implementation: transparency, making data relevant, and capacity building. To ensure project success, the case studies also addressed challenges that may arise in PHIs such as digital health literacy, Internet and broadband accessibility, and PHI platform sustainability.