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 recognize that smart, targeted investments can lead to better health, fewer ER visits and a decrease in severe complications.
As lawmakers make their final push toward approving a budget, we urge you remind them that expanding dental care access can make a real difference, especially for at-risk and vulnerable populations. Please reach out to your representatives now and throughout the remainder of the Special Session, and urge them to support the Oral Health Connections pilot.
Here’s how you can help:
- Call your lawmakers directly. OralHealthWatch.org has made it easy for constituents to contact legislators. The Oral Health Watch legislative outreach page helps you locate your representatives, and includes a phone number and a script.
- Email your representatives. The Oral Health Watch website includes a legislator locator tool, email addresses, and a draft email to get you started.
- Reach out to your lawmakers on social media. Below are some sample tweets to send to your representatives.
- @[insert lawmaker Twitter handle]: Dental access, better health, fewer hospital stays & #teethmatter. Please support the Oral Health Connections pilot.
- @waleg: Please support Oral Health Connections pilot to improve dental access for expectant moms and diabetes patients because #teethmatter
- @ [insert lawmaker Twitter handle]: Please support the Oral Health Connections pilot and smart policies that expand dental care access b/c #teethmatter
Finally, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news. Thank you for your support!
Oral Health Watch
9 hours ago
Prevention works. Water fluoridation has helped lower cavity rates among children and contributed to better oral health over a lifetime, including less tooth loss in adulthood. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 days ago
State oral health investments are a high-impact policy that improves overall population health and saves money long-term by:
🦷 Supporting access to preventive care
🚑 Reducing costly emergency room visits
💚 Addressing health inequities
#teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
A cavity is never “just a cavity.” Poor oral health can affect how people eat, sleep, learn, work, and feel every day. Oral health matters because it is deeply connected to overall health, well-being, and quality of life. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
5 days ago
Healthy mouths support eating, sleeping, learning, speaking, and overall well-being. When parents prioritize oral health, they help set the foundation for a healthier childhood and a healthier future. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
6 days ago
Unlike sodas and sports drinks, water hydrates without added sugar. Fluoridated water goes a step further by helping prevent cavities and protect smiles. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 weeks ago
Preventive oral health care and community water fluoridation do more than prevent cavities. They support basic needs like health and comfort, psychological needs like confidence and belonging, and the ability to learn, work, and reach one’s full potential. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 weeks ago
Access to preventive and restorative dental care is essential for everyone. Good oral health plays a vital role in a person’s quality of life. It affects our ability to eat, speak, smile, learn, work, and live without pain. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 weeks ago
The best health policy helps prevent disease before it starts. Community water fluoridation does exactly that by helping protect teeth against cavity-causing germs and reducing the need for more costly treatment later. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 weeks ago
Discrimination, income, education, and where a person lives, works, and plays can have as much impact on health outcomes as behavior and health care access. When we address these social determinants, we move closer toward achieving health equity. #teethmatter