The Kentucky Oral Health Coalition (KOHC) knows that what gets measured gets changed. As we continue to move the oral health needle forward across the Commonwealth, we must look at data and research to ensure we’re being effective in focusing our efforts and finding solutions.
Kentucky KIDS COUNT Oral Health Data Indicators
For more information about Kentucky KIDS COUNT and to read the latest County Data Book, visit kyyouth.org
For more information about Kentucky KIDS COUNT and to read the latest County Data Book, visit kyyouth.org
Making Smiles Happen: 2016 Oral Health Study of Kentucky’s Youth
During the 2015-2016 school year, Delta Dental of Kentucky’s Making Smiles Happen® initiative launched a statewide children’s oral health study. Delta Dental of Kentucky partnered with Kentucky Youth Advocates, the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, and other key partners to collect data on the oral health status of over 2,000 3rd and 6th grade children. The data provided state and regional pictures of the oral health needs of children in the state. This is the first study of this kind conducted since 2001.
View the Making Smiles Happen®: 2016 Oral Health Study of Kentucky’s Youth report using the flipbook or by downloading a PDF.
View the Project Overview
View Regional Data Profiles
Central | Eastern | Louisville | Northern | Western
KOHC Reports & Publications
2023 Oral Health Landscape Assessment Report
To better understand the current trends in oral health care and habits across the state, KOHC conducted a landscape assessment throughout 2023, compiling existing data on oral health outcomes and collecting new information from community members, oral health providers, and community service providers throughout the Commonwealth.
COVID-19 Impact on Oral Health
KOHC partnered with the Kentucky Primary Care Association (KPCA) to gather insights from oral health professionals around the state on the impact of COVID-19 on oral health and provide recommendations to improve oral health outcomes.
Oral Health Educational Resource Flyers
These educational flyers highlight the impact that oral health has on overall health and key oral health milestones including:
Communities Can Improve the Oral Health of Kentucky Kids
We partnered with the Kentucky Beverage Association to learn more about parents’ beliefs and knowledge about oral health care for their children. KOHC hosted three focus groups in March 2020 with parents from Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky, and West Louisville to talk about their children’s oral health care. KOHC also surveyed oral health, primary care, and school professionals to understand the needs for children’s oral health across the state. The focus group and survey results helped us develop six targeted solutions to improve the oral health of all Kentucky kids.
2014 Roadmap to Oral Health Literacy Planning Report
- Section 1: Oral Health 2014 Oral Health Literacy Planning Grant Summary
- Section 2: Focus Group Findings
- Section 3: Oral Health Literacy Survey Findings
- Section 4: Kentucky Networks and Resources for a Statewide Oral Health Literacy Campaign
Kentucky’s Cavity: Parents Voice Concerns about Children’s Dental Care in their Communities
This report gave parents a chance to talk about their experiences in obtaining dental health services for their children in their communities. Many of the problems, challenges, barriers, and experiences that parents spoke to us about have been documented in other research, some of which we present in this report to support the parents’ observations.
2023 Oral Health Landscape Assessment Report
To better understand the current trends in oral health care and habits across the state, KOHC conducted a landscape assessment throughout 2023, compiling existing data on oral health outcomes and collecting new information from community members, oral health providers, and community service providers throughout the Commonwealth.
COVID-19 Impact on Oral Health
KOHC partnered with the Kentucky Primary Care Association (KPCA) to gather insights from oral health professionals around the state on the impact of COVID-19 on oral health and provide recommendations to improve oral health outcomes.
Oral Health Educational Resource Flyers
These educational flyers highlight the impact that oral health has on overall health and key oral health milestones including:
Communities Can Improve the Oral Health of Kentucky Kids
We partnered with the Kentucky Beverage Association to learn more about parents’ beliefs and knowledge about oral health care for their children. KOHC hosted three focus groups in March 2020 with parents from Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky, and West Louisville to talk about their children’s oral health care. KOHC also surveyed oral health, primary care, and school professionals to understand the needs for children’s oral health across the state. The focus group and survey results helped us develop six targeted solutions to improve the oral health of all Kentucky kids.
2014 Roadmap to Oral Health Literacy Planning Report
- Section 1: Oral Health 2014 Oral Health Literacy Planning Grant Summary
- Section 2: Focus Group Findings
- Section 3: Oral Health Literacy Survey Findings
- Section 4: Kentucky Networks and Resources for a Statewide Oral Health Literacy Campaign
Kentucky’s Cavity: Parents Voice Concerns about Children’s Dental Care in their Communities
This report gave parents a chance to talk about their experiences in obtaining dental health services for their children in their communities. Many of the problems, challenges, barriers, and experiences that parents spoke to us about have been documented in other research, some of which we present in this report to support the parents’ observations.