# Rooted in Health: Rural Dental Access

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), invites Local Health Departments (LHDs) to apply for funding to expand Public Health Dental Hygiene (PHDH) teams. The initiative focuses on preventive oral care, teledentistry, and school-based programs in underserved rural populations. Approximately five LHDs will receive awards around $470,000 each to improve dental health access in rural communities.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: RFA
- Issued by: Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (Kentucky)
- Application due: 2026-04-24
- Funding: $470,000
- Eligible applicants: Local Government, Local Health Department
- How to apply: Email applications to marsha.deaton@ky.gov.
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/os/oas/Documents/PHDH%20Team%20Request%20for%20Application.pdf

## Eligibility

Eligible applicants are Local Health Departments operating in rural counties of Kentucky. Applications are considered on a rolling basis until the closing date.

## Requirements

Applicants must complete the official RFA application, provide requested organizational and key stakeholder information, and submit all required documents to the specified contact email. Proposals should detail plans for expanding dental hygiene services, leveraging technology, and serving school-age and underserved populations.

## Required attachments

- Completed RFA application form
- Attachment A: Budget Template

## Application package and source documents

- [KY - 2026 - RHTP – Rooted in Health: Rural Dental Access (PHDH_Team_Request_for_Application)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/ebeb0099-582c-4c04-9820-bed8babe09db/file) (primary) — official: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/os/oas/Documents/PHDH%20Team%20Request%20for%20Application.pdf
- [KY - 2026 - KY E&T Modernization – Attachment B: Budget Template](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/dd78940c-3970-468c-922e-7d7aa3f22f09/file) — official: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/os/oas/Documents/RHT%20E%26T%20Modernization%20-%20Attachment%20B%20-%20Budget%20Template.xlsx
- [KY - 2026 - Attachment B - CMS Notice of Award](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/5ac0bb97-657e-4e9d-b4ed-dba33f2ea8e8/file) — official: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/os/oas/Documents/Attachment%20B%20-%20CMS%20Notice%20of%20Award.pdf
- [KY - 2026 - Request for Application: RHT Funding Opportunity to Develop Community Health Worker Specialized Certificates](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/4f67e77b-c1f6-47bd-b077-5e1c3cb966db/file) — official: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/os/oas/Documents/RHT%20-%20Community%20Health%20Worker%20-%20RFA.pdf

More Kentucky RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/ky (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/ky.md)

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Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/rooted-in-health-rural-dental-access--ab38d144bf — data as of 2026-08-18.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.