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 Dr. Bob Crittenden.
Crittenden is Senior Health Policy Advisor to Gov. Inslee and a family physician who treated underserved communities in Seattle’s central and southeast neighborhoods for nearly three decades. He recalled that affordable access to oral health care was a widespread need among his patients.
Crittenden stated that oral health and behavioral health must be further integrated into health policies to ensure overall health. The benefits of access to oral health care go beyond wellness and a healthy smile, he added, affecting a person’s employment opportunities and ability to provide for their family. According to Crittenden, dental problems are among the biggest differentiators in income and class today.
Check out photos from the event on our Facebook page.
Oral Health Watch
14 hours ago
Every Washington child deserves the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of good oral health. To protect our kids' health and their future, we must maintain and expand access to essential preventive care, including:
🦷Regular dental checkups
🛡Dental sealants and fluoride ...Read morevarnishes
💧Community water fluoridation
#teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
4 days ago
Cavities can take a toll on your teeth, your breath, and your budget. Brush with fluoride toothpaste, choose water (fluoridated provides added cavity protection) over sugary drinks, floss daily, and make time for dental checkups. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
4 days ago
A healthier smile starts at the tap. Fluoridated tap water helps prevent cavities, saves money, advances health equiaty, and reduces single-use plastic waste. Refill your reusable bottle and drink to improved oral health and healthier communities! #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
5 days ago
Every child deserves to enjoy the benefits of good oral health. Healthy teeth help young children eat, speak, sleep, and learn. Washington’s Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) Program helps connect young children from lower-income families with dental care so they can get the care they ...Read moreneed to thrive. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
6 days ago
Washington state's investments in the Apple Health dental program help ensure lower-income families, lower-wage workers, and seniors can access the care they need to protect health, support daily life, and avoid the financial burden of lost wages and high out-of-pocket costs. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 weeks ago
Every family looks different, but love - and the desire to keep our loved ones healthy - is what connects us all. On this #NationalFamilyDay, we are celebrating families in all their beautiful makeups and configurations. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 weeks ago
Healthy smiles support stronger futures. For lower-income workers, dental care access can mean fewer missed work hours, better overall well-being, and greater confidence pursuing job opportunities. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 weeks ago
Healthy teeth start with everyday protection. Community water fluoridation helps strengthen tooth enamel and protect against cavities at every age. Paired with twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste and regular dental visits, it helps keep smiles healthy. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 weeks ago
Adult dental coverage matters for kids, too. When adults lose Apple Health (our state's Medicaid program) dental benefits, children in those households receive fewer dental exams - with the youngest kids most affected. Protecting Apple Health dental coverage for adults is an investment in ...Read moreparents, kids, and healthier families. #teethmatter