Support for lasting solutions that improve oral health – and overall health – for people in Washington state remains strong. The Oral Health Watch Coalition gathered on January 14th for a legislative kick-off lunch. More than 40 attendees representing business, child advocacy, education, government, faith-based, medical, and seniors-focused organizations shared their upcoming legislative goals and heard from keynote speaker…
The Seattle/King County Clinic with Remote Area Medical held at Seattle Center’s KeyArena shows the tremendous need for dental care in our community. More than 1,700 patients received dental services at this four-day event. More than 400 dental professionals and students volunteered their time, including dentists, oral surgeons, dental hygienists, and dental assistants. Hear from…
Medicaid Expansion Presents an Opportunity to Secure Dental Coverage for Low-Income Adults In Washington State, the Medicaid adult dental program was largely eliminated in 2011 due to budget shortfalls. Thanks to action by the Washington State Legislature, coverage was restored January 1, 2014. Arcora Foundation and its many partners successfully advocated for the restoration of…
The Seattle Times recently published an op-ed, “State should provide basic dental care for low-income adults”, authored by Fred Kiga and Mark Secord. We are thrilled that the largest newspaper in the state featured the piece, joining newspapers across the state in publishing editorials and op-eds advocating for full restoration of the Medicaid adult dental program,…
More than 450,000 low-income adults in Washington no longer have dental coverage because of budget cuts made in 2011. These people need your help. Watch the video, then use the easy form to send a message to legislators urging them to restore dental coverage for low-income adults. Dental care improves health, saves money — and…
A recent report on emergency room use from the Washington Health Care Authority is receiving a lot of media attention. According to the report, an initiative to reduce “unnecessary” emergency room visits is on track to generate savings of up to $31 million per year. The Seattle Times article notes that helping Medicaid patients avoid…
The Washington Legislature’s decision two years ago to eliminate non-emergency dental benefits for nearly 450,000 adults helped balance the budget. But it was a costly decision because the uninsured often turn to already overburdened emergency rooms, creating costs that are passed on to taxpayers and other healthcare consumers. If state lawmakers restore the dental benefits…
Recent stories in the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times have added to the growing national attention on the lack of oral health care in the U.S. This summer The Kaiser Family Foundation released several policy briefs about oral health in the U.S. and the problems associated with a lack of dental care. …
A new report by the Pew Center on the States estimates that preventable dental conditions were the primary diagnosis in 830,590 visits to emergency rooms nationwide in 2009. In most cases, care delivered in the ER will not provide lasting relief. Instead, patients need dental care to effectively treat toothaches and dental abscesses. Without access to…
With the release of the Senate budget Tuesday, both Houses of the state Legislature are proposing to continue funding dental coverage for low-income pregnant women, seniors in nursing homes and people with developmental disabilities. This coverage was eliminated in Gov. Gregoire’s proposed supplemental budget. Decisions by legislators to preserve dental coverage reflect increased recognition that…
Oral Health Watch
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👇🙌The SmileMobile's first visit in 2021 will be at Yelm Middle School starting the week of February 8th. Call 888-286-9105 for more details. The SmileMobile is made possible by @Arcorafound @DeltaDentalWA & @seattlechildren. #teethmatter
The SmileMobile is back! Their dental team will be in Yelm the weeks of Feb. 8 and 15. Local families with Apple Health (Medicaid) or without insurance are encouraged to call 888-286-9105. #access @YCSnews
Oral Health Watch
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👇The SmileMobile will be in Yelm the weeks of February 8th and 16th. Call 888.286.9105 for more details. The SmileMobile is made possible by Arcora Foundation, Delta Dental of Washington and Seattle Children's. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
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There's a reason why more than 100 well-regarded, reputable health organizations support fluoridation. That's because for more than 75 years, water fluoridation has helped improve the oral health of millions of Americans regardless of race, ethnicity or income level. #teetmatter
Oral Health Watch
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There's a reason why more than 100 well-regarded, reputable health organizations support fluoridation. That's because for more than 75 years, water fluoridation has helped improve the oral health of millions of Americans regardless of race, ethnicity or income level. #teetmatter
There are over 100 well-known, well-respected scientific research, public health, medical, & dental organizations that recognize the safety & effectiveness of CWF.
Oral Health Watch
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The global pandemic has shown us that health care coverage is important, but it is especially so during a health crisis. Washington state's Apple Health adult dental care program helps advance oral health in our communities by helping to prevent dental disease and small problems from getting ...bigger. #teethmatter #ProtectDental #waleg
Oral Health Watch
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Health care coverage is important, but it is especially so during a global health crisis. WA state's Apple Health adult dental care program helps prevent oral disease and small problems from getting bigger. #teethmatter #ProtectDental #waleg
"It is precisely in these times we should all remember the stakes are too high to do anything less than preserve programs that people need to stay health." #ProtectDental
- Andrew Lofton (@Seattle_Housing) and @Vanetta_SeaTac w/ @SeattleMedium
https://seattlemedium.com/preserving-state-adult-dental-program-promotes-health-equity/