
Improving outcomes for pregnant women and people with diabetes
Can expanding dental care access for expectant mothers and people with diabetes improve overall health outcomes? Beginning in January 2019, the state launched Oral Health Connections, a three-year pilot program that aims to expand oral health care access for pregnant women and people with diabetes to produce better health outcomes. Gum disease can contribute to diabetes complications and has been linked to unfavorable birth outcomes in newborns. Improved oral health will help patients manage their diabetes and contribute to a healthy pregnancy.
The Oral Health Connections pilot will link Apple Health-insured pregnant women and patients with diabetes with dental care in their community. The model is based on the nationally-recognized Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) program. The Oral Health Connections program will operate in three pilot counties: Thurston, Spokane, and Cowlitz.
In partnership with the Arcora Foundation and local health organizations, the pilot project includes training and enhanced reimbursements for providers treating eligible patients and care coordination. Studies show that pregnant women and people with diabetes who have regular dental visits experience fewer medical complications and shorter hospital stays than those who do not.
Oral Health Watch supports the Oral Health Connections pilot program and other innovative approaches to reduce health disparities among Washington state’s most vulnerable and underserved populations.
Click here to tell legislators that you support innovations like the Oral Health Watch Connections pilot.
Oral Health Watch
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Access to oral health care is a matter of equity. Investments that expand access to regular oral health care checkups, timely dental treatments and community water fluoridation are good policy and the right thing to do. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
18h
Access to oral health care is a matter of equity. Investments that expand access to regular oral health care checkups, timely dental treatments and community water fluoridation are good policy and the right thing to do. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
19h
Access to oral health care is a matter of equity. Investments that expand access to regular oral health care checkups, timely dental treatments and community water fluoridation are good policy and the right thing to do. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
19h
Parents and caregivers are a child's first teacher. Encouraging parents to model good oral health habits at home - choose water over sugary drinks, brush and floss regularly and avoid sticky foods - can set kids on a lifelong path of good oral health. #teethmatter
Strong oral health habits start at home, but encouraging kids to care for their smiles can sometimes be a challenge. Help combat these dental issues by creating an oral health routine that is fun and easy for your kids to follow. #OralHealth #ChildrensDentalHealthMonth
Oral Health Watch
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February is Black History Month and offers us all an opportunity to remember the past, celebrate the progress made, and continue to work toward transforming the future . #BlackHistoryMonth #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
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