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We are now in the third Special Session of the State Legislature. Both the Senate and House budgets include funding for the Oral Health Connections pilot, which would provide an enhanced Medicaid dental benefit for expectant mothers and people with diabetes. There’s bipartisan support for the pilot because lawmakers from all corners of the state…

Increased dental care access for many of Washington State’s underserved communities may soon be available, thanks to a web-based program that pairs patients in need with dentists. SwiftCare, an online scheduling service that connects dentists with patients regardless of their insurance coverage, is helping adults and children throughout the state get the care they need.…

School-aged children are reporting fewer cavities and greater access to preventive care, but tooth decay remains a major health concern, according to the latest Washington State oral health assessment. The Washington State Department of Health recently announced results from its 2015-2016 Smile Survey and found that while more children overall are reporting fewer cavities, disparities along…

Fact: The average child consumes more than half of her or his body weight in sugar each year, with a significant amount coming from juice drinks, sodas and other sweetened beverages. Sugary drinks, once viewed as an occasional treat, have taken the place of water in far too many diets. In fact, a recent report…

For the past three years, the Seattle Center Foundation and thousands of compassionate volunteers have transformed KeyArena into the Seattle/King County Clinic: a massive popup clinic, providing dental, medical and vision care for thousands of people in need of treatment. Oral health care has been the most requested service at the four-day clinics, with people…

The 105-day regular session has ended, but lawmakers have returned to Olympia to tackle unfinished business, including approving a two-year budget and determining how to fund basic education. As the Legislature hammers out a two-year budget, Oral Health Watch and its coalition members are urging lawmakers to continue supporting investments in oral health and to…

Without Mary’s Place, a nonprofit organization that helps homeless women – many of whom are escaping abusive situations – 32-year-old “Bear” said that she is uncertain where or when should would get care for her broken teeth. Bear’s back teeth were damaged as a result of an assault. She was unable to find a dentist…

Tooth decay is preventable, yet dental caries is the No. 1 chronic childhood illness in the United States. And the sad irony is that the children who face the greatest barriers to dental care access are often the ones who need it most. Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD), an innovative program that connects…

Healthy teeth and gums provide more than fresh breath and a confident smile. They also play a significant role in managing blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Mounting medical evidence and research shows that inflamed gums and infections from cavities and gum disease can affect a diabetes patient’s ability to control their blood sugar.…

Women can anticipate significant changes to their body during pregnancy. But did you know that pregnancy can affect oral health, and that infections in the mouth can impact pregnancy? A growing body of research has found a connection between pregnancy and poor oral health. That is why doctors, dentists, physician assistants, nurses and hygienists urge…