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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And #DYK that cavities are preventable? Practicing a good oral hygiene routine coupled with regular dental visits, drinking fluoridated water, dental sealants and fluoride varnishes can help kids grow up cavity-free. #teethmatter
#DYK: Cavities in baby teeth often lead to cavities in adult teeth? Ask your dentist these three questions to set your little one’s teeth up for success 🦷
https://www.themightymouth.org/3-questions-to-ask-a-dentist-or-pediatrician-about-your-babys-oral-health
Oral Health Watch
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Everyone deserves to enjoy the benefits of good oral health. Thank you #SmileMobile - and @Arcorafound, @DeltaDentalWA, @seattlechildren and caring providers who make the SmileMobile possible - for providing dental care access in rural and underserved communities. #teethmatter
Thumbs up for our #SmileMobile clinic in Spokane! 🙌 Thank you to the incredible Marshallese community health workers who helped patients feel comfortable and secure during their visits. #access #removingbarriers
📰 Read more in @SpokesmanReview ➡ https://bit.ly/3vpAwAy
Oral Health Watch
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A scary thought: you turn on the kitchen tap and nothing comes out! 😱 But have no fear, your amazing #wateroperators are here to ensure balanced drinking water is there when you need it. Raise a glass to those who keep our smiles and whole bodies healthy! #ValueWater
Oral Health Watch
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It's time for #Medicare to reflect the fact that oral health is integral to overall health and that including preventive dental care coverage is not only good health policy, it is the right thing to do. #teethmatter
A broken tooth shouldn’t mean an impossible choice between groceries and #DentalCare. Older adults and people with disabilities paid into #Medicare their whole working lives. It should cover their whole bodies. #MouthsinMedicare
Oral Health Watch
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Congratulations, @PurpleHayesRN and @DocJeffD!
So proud of @PurpleHayesRN and @DocJeffD, who were awarded the MLK Medal for Distinguished Service by the @KCCouncil for their incredible leadership throughout the #COVID19 pandemic.
Oral Health Watch
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Calgary residents overwhelmingly voted to restore water fluoridation. This is a win for all Calgary residents - regardless of age and socio-economic income level. This is a win for health equity. This is a win for public health. #teethmatter ...https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/calgarians-votes-yes-to-fluoride-in-city-water-supply-1.5628622