As February and Children’s Dental Health Month comes to a close, we’re reminded that oral health needs to be a priority every month. Good oral health habits and regular visits to their dentist can give kids the strong start they need to have healthy teeth and gums going into adulthood. Pain from dental problems is a leading cause of school absences in Kentucky. Knowing this and that half of second graders in Kentucky are affected by [...]

Every February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month with a goal to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. The ADA, in collaboration with dental professionals, health care providers, and oral heath advocates, have worked consistently to spread the message of the importance of children’s oral health to  communities across the country.  Kentucky's State Legislature also took part in recognizing the importance of children's oral health. House Resolution 61, [...]

Oral health disparities in Kentucky drive the work of the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition and its three workgroups. High cost of care, lack of prevention, and limited access to dental professionals remain among the top reasons Kentuckians historically have not maintained optimal oral health. But, how do we show the extent of disparities in the state? The answer is simple, yet can be complicated: data. In a recent webinar presented by the DentaQuest South/Southeast Regional [...]

As the baby boomer generation ages, the population’s health needs continue to increase. Many senior citizens, especially those who are, often experience hunger and malnutrition. The biggest challenge for homebound senior citizens facing hunger and the lack of nutrition isn’t the inability to afford food or prepare meals like one might expect. The biggest challenge for many is simply the inability to chew their food. According to the article, “Tending to Unmet Dental Needs, a [...]

University of Kentucky's first year dental students are a part of the #KySmileTeam. The holiday season brings about many reasons for families to smile, from holiday light displays to opening gifts. Oral health and the holidays are even celebrated in the song “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth.” But many Kentuckians don’t have perfect smiles this holiday season. You are in the unique position to influence health outcomes by [...]

Children’s oral health is a pressing issue in Kentucky. Oral health care is integral to overall health and wellness and affects a child’s success in learning and job prospects later in life. Understanding how Kentucky’s children, specifically those on Medicaid, fare in their oral health can help build the case for increased access to oral health care services and education. In partnership with George Washington University, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published the [...]

 Kynect, Kentucky’s health benefit exchange, began its second annual open enrollment period on November 15 and will run through February 15, 2015. Governor Steve Beshear’s communications office reports that the first day of enrollment showed strong interest from Kentuckians as they began shopping for health coverage. Kentucky has remained a national leader in enrollment in health care coverage through kynect. In 2014, Kentucky had the second-highest reduction of uninsured people in the country, falling from [...]