The 2020 census is here! The census is a once in a decade opportunity to count every person—adults, children, and babies—living in the United States. The population data gathered during the census count is used for everything from funding allocations for critical programs that serve kids and families to drawing voting districts and planning locations for new schools, hospitals, and retail centers. Most children benefit from at least one of the hundreds of federal programs that rely on [...]

Dear oral health community members, The health and safety of our members, our community, and our state is KOHC’s top priority. Amid the growing concern surrounding COVID-19 and new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Governor Beshear, we are canceling the KOHC quarterly meeting scheduled for March 27, 2020. Those who have already registered online, your registration will be canceled, and you do not need to take any further action. During this uncertain time, KOHC [...]

It’s estimated that over 50 percent of injuries from child abuse are on the head and neck. That means warning signs of abuse are front and center for dentists, dental hygienists, and other oral health professionals who see patients twice annually. This sector of health professionals have unique opportunities to ask important questions, provide key information, and observe both parents and children for warning signs of abuse and neglect.  Beginning in 2019, the Kosair Charities Face It Movement partnered with Delta Dental of [...]

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and the American Dental Association is kicking it off with a campaign to promote the benefits of drinking fluoridated tap water. The Kentucky Oral Health Coalition is proud to join professionals, parents, and community members to help establish positive attitudes, practice good oral hygiene habits, and teach children about the importance of maintaining good oral and overall physical health to set them up for a lifetime of healthy [...]

As oral health advocates, we are counting on you to raise your voice against  Senate Bill 86. For over 70 years, public water providers have had a direct connection to improving the oral health of Kentucky children and adults through fluoridation of the public drinking water supply.  This regulation, administered by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services has been a safe, reliable, cost-effective preventive measure to keep teeth strong and reduce cavities by at [...]

By Alicia Whatley Kentucky Oral Health Coalition members and oral health stakeholders from across the state came together for the 2019 Kentucky Oral Health Coalition annual meeting on Friday, December 6. We kicked off the meeting with an outstanding keynote speaker, Rebekah Fiehn. Rebekah is the Healthcare Data Exchange Specialist at the DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement. Rebekah spoke about teledentistry on a national level and the trends the oral health community is [...]

Delta Dental of Kentucky is partnering with the Kosair Charities' Face It Movement to equip dental professionals with the information they need to recognize and report child abuse and neglect. It is estimated that more than 50% of injuries due to child abuse are on the head and neck – meaning the warning signs of abuse are front and center for dental professionals. This group of health professionals have unique opportunities to ask important questions, [...]

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. [...]