KOHC June Quarterly Meeting Recap

KOHC members and advocates convened virtually for this year’s June Quarterly Meeting on June 6th.

Alicia Whatley, Senior Policy and Advocacy Director for Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA) and Project Lead for KOHC, kicked off the meeting and welcomed the keynote presentation on Minimally Invasive Care by Dr. Nikki Stone, Dental Director for UK North Fork Valley Community Health Center. Dr. Stone shared detailed wisdom about how early interventions and continued monitoring can preserve tooth structure, and along with other KOHC members present, discussed best practices for collaboration among different practitioners and settings.

Tara Grieshop Goodwin with Kentucky Youth Advocates then presented information about KYA’s Opioid Data Dashboard, which reflects ways that Kentucky communities are accessing and leveraging opioid settlement dollars. KYA partnered with the Kentucky Association of Counties to develop best practices for approaching your county leaders regarding use of the funds. Whether it is facilitating a meeting of partners in your community, creating a document with takeaways for your county, or 1:1 help, KYA is offering tailored technical assistance. KYA also hosted a June 4th webinar with more tips.

Alicia then shared updates about the federal policy landscape regarding oral health and members weighed in with a brief policy discussion.

Members shared their own updates, and the meeting concluded with an appreciation to CareQuest for their support, and a reminder to register for the upcoming September Quarterly Meeting which will be followed immediately by the American Institute of Dental Public Health (AIDPH) Veteran Oral Health Virtual Road Tour.