Tammy Riley, Public Health Director II, Pike County Health Department  The BearCare Public Health Dental Clinic, informally called the BearCare Clinic, located at the Pike County Health Department, is a project born out of a deep understanding of the persistent and unmet oral health needs of children in our community. As a public health initiative grounded in compassion and collaboration, the clinic was established to bridge the gap for the uninsured, underinsured, and Medicaid-enrolled youth [...]

Kentucky Oral Health Coalition is excited to partner with the American Institute of Dental Public Health (AIDPH) for a special session on veteran oral health following our September coalition meeting. Learn more about AIDPH’s work and this exciting opportunity from guest author Annaliese Cothron, DHSc, MS, CPH.   AIDPH believes veterans cannot maintain good health without good oral health. Unfortunately, 76% of veterans who walk into a medical appointment in the VA may walk out with [...]

Along with barbecues and fireworks, the 4th of July also brought a new federal budget signed into law. Although the reconciliation package saw several versions before final passage, many of the changes we highlighted earlier this Summer were finalized under the new law.    Among the largest cuts in the program's history are those to the Medicaid program. The final version of the bill has broad implications over the next ten years, with changes including:   Work [...]

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, [...]

This year’s KOHC funding partners are focused on oral health education for young children and families in underserved rural areas of Kentucky, where alarming rates of dental poverty in young children are more prevalent. These areas also tend to have the least access to dental care.   Source: Figure 5. Dentist counts by county. https://medicine.uky.edu/sites/default/files/inline-files/2023%20Dental%20Report%20Final%20Aug%2017%202023.pdf Guest Contributor: Rhonda Collins, PHRDH – Lawrence County Health Department  My name is Rhonda Collins. Ten years ago, I [...]

As Kentuckians across the state welcome warmer weather and summer break, KOHC is also taking time to celebrate Oral Health Month throughout June. Oral Health Month is a time to recognize the importance of oral health and build awareness of positive oral health habits and outcomes.   This means not only engaging in positive oral health behaviors like daily brushing and flossing, and regularly visiting a dentist, but also understanding and advocating for policies that make [...]

This year’s KOHC funding partners are focused on oral health education for young children and families in underserved rural areas of Kentucky, where alarming rates of dental poverty in young children are more prevalent. These areas also tend to have the least access to dental care.  Figure 5. Dentist counts by county. Source: https://medicine.uky.edu/sites/default/files/inline-files/2023%20Dental%20Report%20Final%20Aug%2017%202023.pdf    Dr. Chris Casterline, DMD  Florence Mahoney, CFO  Sterling Health Care, Guest Contributors  Sterling Health Care is a multidisciplinary institution serving [...]

Across the country, May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month – a time to learn about the impacts of mental health and take action to improve mental health for yourself and those around you. KOHC is highlighting the connections between mental health and oral health, along with ways to take care.   Here are five key connections between mental health and oral health:  Depression or anxiety around dental procedures can lead to avoiding needed care.  [...]

Each year, April is recognized as Oral Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about oral cancer, promoting early detection, and encouraging regular dental checkups. This month, KOHC member Dr. Jennie Ison provides insight into a new trend in oral cancer presentation and tips on how to spot it in your practice.   As an oral pathologist, my primary role is the diagnosis of biopsy specimens taken from both the hard and soft tissues [...]

On Friday, March 21st, KOHC members and oral health advocates met virtually to:   Hear from our spotlight presenter, Heather Cheek from Big Sandy Community and Technical College, about their Community Dental Health Coordinators (CDHC) program. She shared that  CDHCs focus on preventive care and education, which can lead to fewer emergency visits and more regular, planned treatments  Employing CDHCs in a practice can help patients navigate barriers such as transportation  Hear updates on the 2025 [...]