Throughout 2025, the Kentucky General Assembly has convened to consider over 1000 bills that have been filed between the House and Senate. Among those are several proposals that focus on oral health in the Commonwealth. Kentucky Oral Health Coalition (KOHC) has been busy tracking these bills and assessing the impact for individuals, families, and providers across the state.   HB 223 - Rep. Derek Lewis   Expands the allowable practice setting for Public Health Registered Dental Hygienists [...]

Kentucky Oral Health Coalition (KOHC) is committed to increasing oral health literacy and improving access to care for all Kentuckians. Achieving optimal oral health relies on healthy oral care habits at home and regular preventive visits to oral health professionals for screenings and cleanings, and treatment if needed.   A recent surveillance study of early learners across the state revealed alarming rates of decay among our youngest Kentuckians – highlighting the need for increased access to [...]

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, when the American Dental Association encourages grownups to spread awareness about the importance of children’s oral health.   Here are 4 things to know about kids’ oral health in Kentucky, along with ways to take action!     1. What to Know: The 2023 Kentucky Early Learner’s Oral Health Survey (initial findings) found that children across varied socioeconomic backgrounds in Kentucky show an alarming rate of “dental poverty,” with rates [...]

Voices from the field: a hygienist and instructor’s perspective on water fluoridation  Mary W. Jones, RDH, MPH  Bluegrass Community and Technical College  Dental Hygiene Program Coordinator/Professor     As a practicing dental hygienist for over 26 years and an educator for 17 years, I have seen many Kentuckians as dental patients in both private practice and the school clinic.   As a prevention specialist, it is important to me to provide good tools to prevent dental problems before [...]

Kentucky Oral Health Coalition (KOHC) is dedicated to improving oral health for all Kentuckians. Our work includes sharing the latest oral health resources, gathering and curating available oral health data, and prioritizing policy solutions to improve oral health. Through our work to improve oral health for all, we place an emphasis on identifying underserved populations and prioritizing efforts to meet their oral health needs.    KOHC has a wide network of partners and members across the [...]

  KOHC members and advocates convened for the 2024 KOHC December Annual Meeting this year on Friday, December 13th at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. Some attendees arrived early to begin the day with a tour led by Dr. Stephanie Riehn, Assistant Professor with the Program of Dental Hygiene at WKU. With an introduction by Alicia Whatley, Senior Policy and Advocacy Director with Kentucky Youth Advocates, Dr. Riehn kicked off the day with a [...]

This week, Kentucky Youth Advocates released the 2024 KIDS COUNT County Data Book, highlighting key data indicators for child well-being in Kentucky. For 34 years, the book has been published and shared with community partners and decision-makers as a lever for change. Statewide data is gathered to show whether outcomes have improved, stayed the same, or worsened over a five-year period (or as close as possible). The data is then broken down by race/ethnicity, disability [...]

On Friday, September 6th KOHC members and oral health advocates met virtually to:   Learn about opportunities to promote access to good nutrition through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)  Karena Cash, Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA) Data and Research Director, presented information about the benefits of WIC, including access to healthy foods, one-on-one nutrition counseling, and screenings for health conditions including oral health.   She shared findings that suggest those enrolled [...]

Brooke Jones, PHRDH, BSDH, Director of School Oral Health   Gateway District Health Department, Guest Contributor    As the Director of School Oral Health for the Gateway District Health Department and a practicing hygienist for over ten years, I am passionate about promoting oral health in our communities. Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand the transformative power of good dental care—not just in terms of smiles, but in enhancing the overall well-being of my patients.  [...]

KOHC members and oral health advocates in Kentucky are working hard to improve oral health for Kentuckians. An important part of this process is bringing elected officials on board to support policies that will uplift the health, well-being, education, and workforce needed for communities to  access oral healthcare.  On the 2024 ballot, Kentuckians will be voting for more than the next U.S. President on November 5th – we will be electing Kentucky’s six U.S. House of Representatives, half [...]