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The conclusion of the 2018 legislative session marked another year of progress toward expanding oral health care access and reducing health disparities in Washington State. Oral Health Watch would like to thank the Legislature for its unanimous support of Substitute Senate Bill 6549 and its continued support of the Oral Health Connections pilot program. Targeted…

In previous blogs, we wrote about the Oral Health Watch Coalition’s commitment to working toward zero health disparities and expanding oral health care access. There was an overwhelming response on Oral Health Watch’s Facebook page on this topic. In many cases, people with Apple Health coverage, our state’s Medicaid program, expressed frustration at the difficulties…

With February being National Children’s Dental Health Month, we want to focus on kids in this week’s blog. Though almost entirely preventable, tooth decay remains the most common chronic childhood disease in the U.S. Oral health problems account for nearly one-third (30 percent) of U.S. children ages 6 to 12 missing more than 9 million school…

It is without question that community water fluoridation in the city of Seattle, the United States, and throughout the world is a bona fide public health success story. This year marks 48 years of water fluoridation in Seattle, and Oral Health Watch wanted to commemorate this milestone by focusing on this safe, cost-effective, and beneficial…

Oral Health Watch (OHW) draws its strength from the diversity of its supporters and partnerships. With coalition members who represent nonprofit organizations, government agencies, health care providers, social services, and advocacy groups, OHW has helped to find common ground and opportunities to work together toward improving the health of all people in Washington State. Many…

Check this out! The Olympian visited the SmileMobile while it provided essential oral health care for children and pregnant women in Lacey. The SmileMobile is made possible by the Arcora Foundation, Delta Dental of Washington, and Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Why is the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) popular and has bipartisan support? Check out this short infographic from The Washington Post, which explains who CHIP helps. In Washington state, nearly 60,000 children and pregnant women receive essential dental and medical care through CHIP.

Heartfelt thanks to everyone – lawmakers, Oral Health Watch coalition members, and allies – for your support. The Washington State Legislature included the Oral Health Connections pilot in its 2017-2019 biennial budget, which will test how an enhanced Medicaid dental benefit can increase access to care and improve health outcomes for two adult populations in…

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.…