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We are delighted to report that Senate Bill 5540, which would create an oral health pilot program for low-income pregnant women and adults with diabetes, has passed through the Senate Health Care Committee and has been scheduled for a hearing in the Ways & Means Committee on Tuesday, February 21. Call the Legislative Hotline at…

Oral Health Watch coalition members gathered at our annual luncheon in Olympia this past week. It was an engaging meeting that gave us all a chance to catch up with fellow oral health advocates and share with one another our 2017 legislative goals. State Senator Ann Rivers (R-18), a strong supporter of oral health care…

People are increasingly recognizing that oral health affects overall health. Qi Zheng, 36, of Seattle, understands it firsthand. Upon diagnosing Qi with diabetes 17 years ago, doctors emphasized to him that maintaining good oral health was an important part of managing his chronic disease and keeping his blood sugar in check. Qi was vigilant about…

State legislators are considering an investment in improving oral health care access for low-income pregnant women and diabetes patients to improve their overall health and provide substantial savings through lower health care costs. Countless studies underscore the connection between oral health and overall health. Now researchers are confirming what many have suspected all along: that…

Every child deserves to have a healthy start in life. That includes a smile filled with healthy teeth and gums. As National Children’s Dental Health Month comes to a close, let’s recognize the importance of oral health for kids. It’s never too soon to introduce good oral health habits. Even though tooth decay is almost…

Most expectant mothers understand that eating well, taking prenatal vitamins and getting adequate rest are important for a healthy pregnancy. But did you know that maintaining good oral health also is vital for both mom and baby?   Research links gum disease with pregnancy complications and poor birth outcomes, including gestational diabetes, premature babies, and…

Diabetes patients who get treatment for oral disease experience fewer diabetes-related hospitalizations and have lower health care costs.   A 2014 study by United Concordia published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that diabetes patients who received treatment for gum disease had 40 percent fewer hospital stays than those who did not receive…

How does fluoridated water actually work to protect teeth from tooth decay? It’s a question that some people may ask, so here’s the answer. As this video explains, fluoridated water works two ways. First, for young children during the tooth-forming years, the fluoride that is swallowed helps to strengthen the enamel of the developing teeth,…

Cavity-causing germs are infectious Experts recommend that pregnant women get dental care and any needed treatment before their baby is born. The germs that cause tooth decay can be passed from mother to child. If moms have tooth decay, their babies have an increased risk for tooth decay. Studies have shown that mothers typically pass…

It’s National Diabetes Month. On November 23rd, the Yakima Herald-Republic featured an op-ed by Diane Patterson on the importance of oral health care for people with diabetes.  Check it out: http://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/latestoped/2666463-8/diabetes-and-dental-issues-tied-together   Did you know that gum disease can make it harder to manage diabetes? If you have diabetes you are twice as likely to develop…