There are 43 state-based oral health coalitions in the U.S. Not every state has the support of a state-based coalition, fortunately Kentucky is home to the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition (KOHC). Residents of Kentucky can be confident that KOHC is a dedicated advocate in the pursuit of lifelong oral health for everyone. In 2010, KOHC formulated a vision to engage partners across the state and formed a collaborative oral health campaign designed to educate parents, [...]

The Kentucky Oral Health Coalition is a group of oral health professionals, advocates, and stakeholders with a collective voice to improve oral health for all Kentuckians. A cornerstone function of KOHC is policy advocacy. Each year members have an opportunity to help shape and prioritize a policy agenda to improve oral health. To help form this policy agenda, KOHC supports the health policies and budget priorities on the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children. In addition, members [...]

Kentucky’s youth in foster care are a vulnerable population who need access to comprehensive health coverage. Youth in foster care and who have aged out of foster care have disproportionately high rates of serious physical, mental, and behavioral health issues. They are more likely to have health issues that affect their day-to-day functioning and more likely to need psychological and substance use counseling. Many youth formerly in foster care live at or below the poverty [...]

Across the Commonwealth, in urban and rural settings, children and families of all races and ethnicities experienced significant challenges in 2020. Kentucky Youth Advocates recently released the 30th edition of the Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book, which sheds light on the impacts of the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racial injustice on children and families. Also, the data book highlights the most recent data across 17 measures of child well-being including data for all [...]

The 2021 open enrollment period for health insurance begins November 2, 2020 and goes through December 15th. Let’s make sure everyone who is eligible signs up for the health insurance they need to stay healthy. Medicaid and the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP) provide free or low-cost health coverage to low-income Kentucky families, pregnant women, and children in foster care. This coverage provides Kentuckians access to receive routine health care services and care when [...]

During the month of October KOHC celebrated National Dental Hygiene Month(NDHM) by highlighting the importance of diligent dental hygiene routines, suggesting recommendations to improve the oral health of Kentucky kids, providing tips to celebrate Halloween in a healthy and safe way, and sharing TEN-4 bruising rule resources. As National Dental Hygiene Month winds down and the time to move the clock back grows near, we move forward in honoring a few of KOHC’s outstanding [...]

The month of October is especially busy this year. There are fall celebrations to prepare for, many children are in a virtual, hybrid, or in-person class setting, it's a presidential election year, and football is back! While many of us are decorating in a ghoulish manner and enjoying pumpkin spice everything, October is National Dental Hygiene Month and serves as an important reminder to make time for diligent dental hygiene practice even when life is [...]

Kentucky Oral Health Coalition is dedicated to advancing oral health literacy among all Kentuckians. This year, we partnered with the Kentucky Beverage Association to learn more about parents’ beliefs and knowledge about oral health care for their children. KOHC hosted three focus groups in March 2020 with parents from Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky, and West Louisville to talk about their children’s oral health care. KOHC also surveyed oral health, primary care, and school professionals to [...]

Everyone has a role in preventing child abuse and neglect. In Kentucky, every adult is a mandated reporter of child abuse and neglect. Oral health professionals are in a unique position to recognize and report signs of abuse and neglect during their dental exams and procedures as it is estimated over 50% of injuries from child abuse occur on the head and neck. Knowing and recognizing the signs is the first step in helping keep [...]

There is nothing quite like the love of a grandparent! They give great hugs, are enthusiastic storytellers, and are eager to lend an ear. September is the month we celebrate grandparents and let them know they are appreciated with abundance! It is also an opportune time to talk about the importance of older adult oral health education and the benefits of maintaining good oral health habits from the age of 65 and beyond.  By 2060, [...]