Improving outcomes for pregnant women and people with diabetes
Can expanding dental care access for expectant mothers and people with diabetes improve overall health outcomes? Beginning in January 2019, the state launched Oral Health Connections, a three-year pilot program that aims to expand oral health care access for pregnant women and people with diabetes to produce better health outcomes. Gum disease can contribute to diabetes complications and has been linked to unfavorable birth outcomes in newborns. Improved oral health will help patients manage their diabetes and contribute to a healthy pregnancy.
The Oral Health Connections pilot will link Apple Health-insured pregnant women and patients with diabetes with dental care in their community. The model is based on the nationally-recognized Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) program. The Oral Health Connections program will operate in three pilot counties: Thurston, Spokane, and Cowlitz.
In partnership with the Arcora Foundation and local health organizations, the pilot project includes training and enhanced reimbursements for providers treating eligible patients and care coordination. Studies show that pregnant women and people with diabetes who have regular dental visits experience fewer medical complications and shorter hospital stays than those who do not.
Oral Health Watch supports the Oral Health Connections pilot program and other innovative approaches to reduce health disparities among Washington state’s most vulnerable and underserved populations.
Click here to tell legislators that you support innovations like the Oral Health Watch Connections pilot.
Oral Health Watch
58m
Oral health is health and dental coverage is health coverage. The Apple Health adult dental program is essential to ensure lower-income residents living in Washington state can prevent oral disease and small dental problems from getting worse. #teethmatter #waleg
Oral Health Watch
1h
Oral health is health and dental coverage is health coverage. The Apple Health adult dental program is essential to ensure lower-income residents living in Washington state can prevent oral disease and small dental problems from getting worse. #teethmatter #waleg
Oral Health Watch
1d
WA state's Apple Health adult dental program helps keep people healthy. It helps prevent small problems from getting bigger & avoid needless pain from untreated cavities. Apple Health adult dental is not only good policy; it's the right thing to do #teethmatter #waleg
Untreated, often preventable, oral diseases send more than 2.1 million Americans to the emergency room each year, unnecessarily burdening the healthcare system. Preventive oral health care is critical to maintaining optimal overall health.
Oral Health Watch
1d
Water fluoridation benefits everyone - regardless of age, ethnicity and socioeconomic level. But it is especially beneficial for people who lack access to routine preventive dental care like seniors on fixed incomes, underserved communities and uncovered individuals. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1d
Water fluoridation benefits everyone - regardless of age, ethnicity and socioeconomic level. But it is especially beneficial for people who lack access to routine preventive dental care like seniors on fixed incomes, underserved communities and uncovered individuals. #teethmatter
How can you help improve oral health equity in our state? Visit http://WashingtonWaterFluoridation.org to find and share important resources about community water fluoridation! #NationalFluorideDay
Oral Health Watch
2d
Thanks to water fluoridation - and communities like Grand Rapids, MI committed to public health - millions of Americans continue to experience the benefits of stronger teeth protected against cavities with the simple act of drinking fluoridated drinking water. #teethmatter
Today, January 25th is the 76th anniversary of water #fluoridation. Pictured is the water sculpture erected in Grand Rapids, MI, celebrating this historic public health measure.