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Maintaining state Apple Health dental investments

Good oral health is integral to overall health and general well-being. Cavity-causing germs and oral disease can cause pain, tooth loss, and chronic disease complications. Yet far too many lower-income populations disproportionately bear the burden of poor oral health, impacting their well-being, quality of life, and employment opportunities that can further exacerbate people’s inability to afford vital preventive oral health care and timely dental treatments.

Oral Health Watch urges Washington state to continue its smart oral health care investments that prevent minor dental problems from becoming extensive and costlier. That is why Oral Health Watch advocates for continued state investments that broaden oral health care access and innovative approaches that help increase dental care capacity so more people can obtain essential oral health checkups and restorative dental services. We strive toward health equity and a future where everyone can enjoy the benefits of good oral health regardless of social determinants like income, race, ethnicity, immigration status, and geography.

Oral Health Watch supports policies and programs that advance health equity, reduce health disparities, and recognize the essential role oral health plays in overall health for all Washington residents. We at Oral Health Watch believe improved oral health care access includes:

• Maintaining the state’s Apple Health (Medicaid) dental program for children and adults. Access to preventive oral health care and timely dental treatments help prevent minor issues from becoming more serious and expensive problems, saving communities and health systems money.
• Expanding community health center capacity and access for more patients. Community health centers in urban, suburban, and rural communities improve the health and well-being of historically underserved and underrepresented communities throughout the state. Investments in these healthcare systems help advance health equity and provide much-needed care for our neighbors – many of whom live on low incomes.
• Fostering a culturally responsive and diverse oral health workforce that reflects the communities they serve. When healthcare systems are mindful of their patients’ social, cultural, and linguistic needs, they improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities. Studies show health systems and providers who approach care with cultural humility build greater trust with patients, leading to improved patient engagement, communication, and quality of care.[1]

Click here to urge legislators to maintain current state investments and efforts that expand oral healthcare access, including Washington’s Apple Health (Medicaid) dental programs for children and adults.

Need to find a dentist near you? DentistLink is a free referral service that helps connect people with a Washington state dentist. DentistLink serves everyone, whether they have Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage, private insurance, or pay out of pocket. Click here to go to DentistLink.

[1] NIH: Culturally competent healthcare systems. A systematic review, 2003.