History

The Sadie & Harry Davis Foundation, after commiting many years of consistent funding to the From the First Tooth program, realized that a broader approach was needed to create lasting changes in the oral health of Maine's children. The Foundation worked with other funders, public health partners, health care and dental providers, and dental educators to establish the Children’s Oral Health Network of Maine (Network), formerly known as the Partnership for Children's Oral Health, in 2018. The Network was established using a network approach to leverage collective action to transform Maine into a state where together we can meet the oral health needs of all children and families, prioritize prevention, and integrate oral health as an essential element of overall health and well-being.

The Founding Partnership Council established the priorities and framework for COHN to develop into the network it is today. Founding council members included: Kolawole Bankole, Nicole Breton, Deborah Deatrick, Dora Mills, Evelyn deFrees, Judith Feinstein, Kalie Hess, Morgan Hynd, Rachel King, Becca Matusovich, Christopher Pezzulo, Angela Westoff, and Carolyn Wollen.