By Alicia Whatley October is National Dental Hygiene Month. This is a great time to celebrate the critical work dental hygienists do and to help raise awareness on the importance of good oral health. It’s especially important as we near Halloween and the endless amounts of candy that never seem to disappear. Practicing good oral hygiene is important for everyone at every age. Engaging in daily dental hygiene practices helps to prevent gum disease, cavities, [...]

By Alicia Whatley Research shows that kids’ beverage choices are just as important as food choices for healthy growth and development. Teaching healthy beverage choices at a young age can help ensure healthy choices in the future. To guide healthy beverage choices for children, The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, America’s Pediatric Dentists, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association have formed a campaign called Healthy Drinks, Healthy Kids outlining the consensus [...]

As summer break winds down for many Kentucky students, parents and caregivers are preparing to get school supplies together, health forms filled out, after-school care figured out, and more for the new school year. Whether your little one is off to kindergarten or senior year, below are helpful tips your family can utilize to ensure your child’s health will be in good shape as they head back to school and settle into their school routine. [...]

Throughout the month of May, we hope KOHC members and oral health stakeholders across the state are celebrating National Dental Care Month. National Dental Care Month is a celebration aimed to help bring awareness to the importance of preventative dental care. One of the most important components of maintaining good overall health throughout our childhood and adulthood is by establishing positive dental habits at an early age, such as, visiting a dentist after the first baby tooth has erupted [...]

During Child Abuse Prevention Month, we’re reminded that keeping kids safe from abuse and neglect is up to all of us. It’s estimated that over 50 percent of injuries from child abuse are on the head and neck. That means there are warning signs of abuse front and center for dentists, dental hygienists, and other dental professionals who see patients twice annually. Dental professionals have unique opportunities to ask important questions, provide key information, and [...]

This week, a federal judge halted the April 1st implementation of the Bevin Administration’s 1115 Medicaid Waiver, also known as Kentucky HEALTH. We expect the Bevin Administration to announce next step decisions in the coming days, but as of right now, no plans have been unveiled yet. Though several vulnerable populations are exempt from the 1115 waiver, as it protects children, pregnant women, and transition-aged youth in foster care from the potential negative impacts of premiums, reduced [...]

As February comes to an end, so does Children’s Dental Health Month 2019, but that doesn’t mean advocating for children’s dental health and maintaining good dental hygiene is not important all year round! One of the most important components of maintaining good overall health throughout our childhood and our adulthood is through establishing positive dental habits at an early age. According to the 2016 Making Smiles Happen surveillance study, socioeconomic status is a major predictor for 3rd and 6th grader’s [...]

February 25, 2019 - Statement Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Kentucky Oral Health Coalition Statement on House Bill 209 Passing Kentucky House Louisville, KY – A child's oral health is integral to their overall health and well-being, and healthy habits are critical to maintaining good health and oral health. House Bill 209, sponsored by Representative John Carney, promotes healthy drinking habits by establishing a minimum requirement for placing water fountains and bottle filling stations in newly constructed public [...]

It’s February, and as advocates for oral health we know that means Children’s Dental Health Month is here again. Starting as a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio, Children’s Dental Health Month is a celebration aimed to help establish positive attitudes and good dental habits at an early age as a key component to maintaining good oral and overall physical health of people young and growing. We hope that this month, you can participate in the annual celebration [...]

We are members of the Monroe County CARES Youth Prevention Ambassadors. We are drug prevention advocates from south central Kentucky. Our group works to reduce use of tobacco, alcohol, prescription drugs, and marijuana among our peers. One area that our group has had a lot of success in is tobacco prevention. Each year we participate in the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Kick Butts Day and we do media campaigns with newspaper articles, ads, radio PSAs, and [...]