Will 2018 be the year that we all – concerned citizens, policy makers, providers and health care advocates – in Washington State champion the important work of ensuring oral health care for all and eliminating health disparities? A recent opinion piece by Drs. Sue Yoon and Rachel Greene in the Daily Herald effectively explains why…
Improving Access to Dental Care for Pregnant Women and People with Diabetes Ensuring that patients with diabetes and pregnant women have access to dental care presents a significant opportunity to improve health and save medical costs. These populations are more likely than the general population to have oral health problems and the consequences can be…
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…
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,…
Our state legislators have acknowledged the importance of oral health by including some funding in their budget proposals to restore dental coverage for low-income adults. Urge legislators to approve the House level of funding, which fully restores dental coverage for Medicaid-insured adults, including essential procedures like fillings and root canals. Early dental care, such as…
The support for restoring dental care for low-income adults in Washington continues to build. More than 450,000 people lost dental coverage due to state budget cuts in 2011. Recent columns in newspapers across the state specify numerous reasons why funding dental care is a smart investment for the state. Preventing dental disease saves money, improves…
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…
Focus on the necessity of the Legislature to restore dental coverage for low-income adults continues to increase all over the state. The Bellingham Herald carried a long and compelling local article this past weekend describing the pain and other impacts on people who lost dental coverage due to state budget cutbacks in 2011. In the…
KING 5 in Seattle recently aired a story on the consequences of the Legislature’s decision to eliminate dental care for low-income adults. State funding for dental care was cut in 2011 and as a result more than 450,000 low-income adults in our state are denied the dental care they need to remain healthy. The KING…
Oral Health Watch
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First birthday. First tooth. First dental visit. #teethmatter
Visiting the dentist by age 1 is key for building a lifetime of good #OralHealth. Learn what to expect during a first dental visit to support your child’s happy smile: http://buff.ly/3u8X365
Oral Health Watch
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Access to preventive dental care for expectant parents helps set parents and newborns on a healthy path. That's because babies aren't born with the germ responsible for cavities; it's passed on through caregiver interactions like kisses and shared food. #teethmatter
A sneaky culprit for #babyteeth cavities? Spoons! 🥣 Did you know you that when sharing utensils, you may pass cavity-causing germs to your baby? That's why it's important for new parents to keep their smiles healthy. Find dental care today. ➡ https://dentistlink.org/. #ToothTip
Oral Health Watch
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Happy Birthday, Head Start! When children suffer from oral health, their ability to learn suffers. Through the Oral Health Action Plan in Washington state, Head Start focuses on oral health education, prevention and access to care to help children stay healthy and ready to learn. ...#CelebratingHeadStart #HappyBirthdayHeadStart
Oral Health Watch
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#HappyBirthdayHeadStart #CelebrateHeadStart
Oral Health Watch
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When children suffer from oral health, their ability to learn suffers. Through the Oral Health Action Plan in WA state, Head Start focuses on oral health education, prevention and access to care to help children stay healthy and ready to learn. #CelebratingHeadStart
Did you know that for 57 years, @HeadStartgov programs have provided comprehensive services to more than a million children each year and their families? Join us today in wishing Head Start programs and staff a very happy birthday! #HappyBdayHeadStart
#CelebratingHeadStart
Oral Health Watch
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Every child deserves an opportunity to thrive. Preventive measures like community water fluoridation help make that happen, helping protect teeth against needless suffering from painful cavities and tooth loss. #teethmatter