Share Your Story!
Do you have diabetes and Apple Health (Medicaid/DSHS) health coverage?
Or, are you pregnant or a new mom with Apple Health?
Have you had oral health problems or difficulty accessing dental care?
If so, contact us and share your story. Your experiences can help improve access for others. There are many ways you can get involved: share your story in writing, on video, or in person.
Contact Your Legislators
Urge them to improve access to dental care for people with diabetes and pregnant women.
It’s easy!
- Call the legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000
- Email your legislators
- Find us on Twitter @OralHealthWatch and help us deliver the message: Oral health is an essential part of overall health.
Messages
- Prevention and early treatment of dental disease is a smart investment. Poor oral health can lead to other serious, more costly health issues.
- For people with diabetes, dental disease can make it more difficult to control blood sugar, which can lead to serious complications, like blindness, amputation, and kidney disease.
- Improving access to dental care for people with diabetes can help them stay out of the hospital.
- Dental infections can lead to pregnancy complications.
- Once a baby is born, if mom’s decay hasn’t been treated, her baby is at risk. Bacteria that cause tooth decay are often passed from moms to babies.
- Improving access to dental care for pregnant women promotes healthier pregnancies and leads to better oral health for children.
- Support enhancements in the Apple Health budget to improve access to dental care for people with diabetes and pregnant women.
Oral Health Watch
7h
First birthday. First tooth. First dental visit. #teethmatter
Visiting the dentist by age 1 is key for building a lifetime of good #OralHealth. Learn what to expect during a first dental visit to support your child’s happy smile: http://buff.ly/3u8X365
Oral Health Watch
9h
Access to preventive dental care for expectant parents helps set parents and newborns on a healthy path. That's because babies aren't born with the germ responsible for cavities; it's passed on through caregiver interactions like kisses and shared food. #teethmatter
A sneaky culprit for #babyteeth cavities? Spoons! 🥣 Did you know you that when sharing utensils, you may pass cavity-causing germs to your baby? That's why it's important for new parents to keep their smiles healthy. Find dental care today. ➡ https://dentistlink.org/. #ToothTip
Oral Health Watch
1d
Happy Birthday, Head Start! When children suffer from oral health, their ability to learn suffers. Through the Oral Health Action Plan in Washington state, Head Start focuses on oral health education, prevention and access to care to help children stay healthy and ready to learn. ...#CelebratingHeadStart #HappyBirthdayHeadStart
Oral Health Watch
1d
#HappyBirthdayHeadStart #CelebrateHeadStart
Oral Health Watch
1d
When children suffer from oral health, their ability to learn suffers. Through the Oral Health Action Plan in WA state, Head Start focuses on oral health education, prevention and access to care to help children stay healthy and ready to learn. #CelebratingHeadStart
Did you know that for 57 years, @HeadStartgov programs have provided comprehensive services to more than a million children each year and their families? Join us today in wishing Head Start programs and staff a very happy birthday! #HappyBdayHeadStart
#CelebratingHeadStart
Oral Health Watch
1d
Every child deserves an opportunity to thrive. Preventive measures like community water fluoridation help make that happen, helping protect teeth against needless suffering from painful cavities and tooth loss. #teethmatter