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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The SmileMobile is on Whidbey Island this week and next. Thank you Arcora Foundation, Seattle Children's and Delta Dental of Washington for making the SmileMobile possible. #teethmatter
The SmileMobile is in Langley through April 14 this week and April 21 to 23 next week. Low income and uninsured people are invited to phone...
thisiswhidbey.comOral Health Watch
3h
👇#teethmatter
Apple Health (Medicaid) continues to cover dental care for both children and adults. For those who need care, DentistLink can connect them at no cost to a local dentist who accepts their insurance: https://dentistlink.org/
Oral Health Watch
22h
Pediatricians see kids as many as 9 times by the time they reach age 2 for well child visits. Integrating oral health into well child visits and other routine checkups helps identify problems early while underscoring that oral health is integral to overall health. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
23h
Pediatricians see a kid as much as 9 times by the time they're 2yo for well child visits. Integrating oral health into well child visits and other helps identify problems early while underscoring that oral health is integral to overall health. #teethmatter
It's Interprofessional Healthcare Month! Medical-dental integration improves access and "puts the mouth back in the body." MouthMatters trains pediatricians to integrate oral health services into well-child visits.
Learn more and contact us! 👇
https://arcorafoundation.org/preventing-dental-disease-in-pediatric-primary-care/
Oral Health Watch
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👇👏#teethmatter
We can't celebrate National Public Health Week without mentioning one of the top public health achievements! Community water fluoridation is a cost-effective, equitable way to prevent oral disease for all: https://washingtonwaterfluoridation.org/ #NPHW
Oral Health Watch
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Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play. Understanding how social determinants impact health can help us all identify and address health disparities and to promote overall health equity. #teethmatter #NPHW