Share Your Story!
Do you have diabetes and Apple Health (Medicaid/DSHS) health coverage?
Or, are you pregnant or a new mom with Apple Health?
Have you had oral health problems or difficulty accessing dental care?
If so, contact us and share your story. Your experiences can help improve access for others. There are many ways you can get involved: share your story in writing, on video, or in person.
Contact Your Legislators
Urge them to improve access to dental care for people with diabetes and pregnant women.
It’s easy!
- Call the legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000
- Email your legislators
- Find us on Twitter @OralHealthWatch and help us deliver the message: Oral health is an essential part of overall health.
Messages
- Prevention and early treatment of dental disease is a smart investment. Poor oral health can lead to other serious, more costly health issues.
- For people with diabetes, dental disease can make it more difficult to control blood sugar, which can lead to serious complications, like blindness, amputation, and kidney disease.
- Improving access to dental care for people with diabetes can help them stay out of the hospital.
- Dental infections can lead to pregnancy complications.
- Once a baby is born, if mom’s decay hasn’t been treated, her baby is at risk. Bacteria that cause tooth decay are often passed from moms to babies.
- Improving access to dental care for pregnant women promotes healthier pregnancies and leads to better oral health for children.
- Support enhancements in the Apple Health budget to improve access to dental care for people with diabetes and pregnant women.
Oral Health Watch
11 hours ago
Family schedules tend to be less structured as routines shift away from fixed wake-up times, school, and homework requirements. But don't forget to ensure ample time to maintain a good oral health routine. This includes regular brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing and hydrating with ...water (fluoridated is best) instead of sugary drinks. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
22 hours ago
Family schedules tend to be less structured as routines shift away from fixed wake-up times, school, and homework requirements. But don't forget to ensure ample time to maintain a good oral health routine. This includes regular brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing and hydrating with ...water (fluoridated is best) instead of sugary drinks. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 days ago
#DYK tooth decay is largely preventable? Proven-effective strategies like access to regular dental visits, brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, and community water fluoridation can help kids and adults avoid the physical discomfort and burdensome cost of cavities. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
#DYK tooth decay is largely preventable? Proven-effective strategies like access to regular dental visits, brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, and community water fluoridation can help kids and adults avoid the physical discomfort and burdensome cost of cavities. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
Thank you, Arcora Foundation, Delta Dental of Washington, Seattle Children's, and caring volunteer providers for making the SmileMobile possible. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
💯 Arcora Foundation. Oral health care needs don't go away just because coverage does. The estimated 250,000 Washingtonians in need of dental care to either pay out of pocket, delay preventive care and/or forego necessary dental treatment, leading to:
🤒 Needless pain and suffering
... 💵 Burdening patients with costly care
🏥 Straining hospital emergency departments and our health care system
💪 Compromising individual and community health
#teethmatter