Adult Dental

NACCHO Announces Awards to Support Fluoridation in Local Communities

Date: May 4, 2017
Author: Dawn Jacobs
Categories: Adult Dental, Oral Health Strategies

In January 2017, National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), in partnership with the CDC, announced the project “Building Capacity for Oral Health: Fluoridation Equipment in Local Communities,” designed to support communities to either replace aging water fluoridation equipment or install new equipment for CWF. This one-time funding opportunity also helped to identify the need for assistance to support core infrastructure and inform future opportunities for similar projects.

While these community water systems work to diligently maintain their equipment, aging equipment poses a challenge after many years of use, particularly for small systems where resources are scarce. NACCHO received 27 grant applications from 13 states. A total of $125,000 was awarded to the following six grantees:

  • Bowling Green Municipal Utilities, KY (pop. 125,000)
  • City of Fircrest, WA (pop. 6,500)
  • City of Kannapolis, NC (pop. 53,100)
  • Jefferson Parish Water Department East Bank, LA (pop. 243,782)
  • Versailles Municipal Utility, KY (pop. 6,200)
  • West Virginia Oral Health Coalition, WV (pop. 1,634)

Senior Dental Care Day
Date: January 13, 2017
Photo By: Dawn Jacobs

Do you know a senior or veteran needing dental care, but who doesn’t have insurance? Let them know about our Free Senior & Veteran Dental clinic! Registration is now open, call (253) 272-1101 to sign up for service. Participant must be a Pierce County Resident 55 years of age or older or a veteran of any age. Participant must not have dental insurance, Medicaid/Apple Health. participant must meet income guidelines and provide complete medical history.

Getting dental care can be difficult, but we’re here to help!

Dental Care Day

Dental Care Day

Pierce County Dental Society – Children’s Oral Health Day
Date: January 9, 2017
Photo By: Dawn Jacobs

It’s time for the Pierce County Dental Society’s 27th Annual Children’s Dental Health Day! 

The event is on Saturday, February 24th at 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM at the South Hill Mall in Puyallup.

There are tons of Free Activities for Kids!

  • Dental Goodie Bags
  • Face Painting
  • Dental Screenings for Anyone in the Family
  • Free and Low-cost referrals for those who qualify
  • Flouride Varnish Applications
  • Sports Mouthguards
  • Lives demos by “Chompy the Carrot”!
  • Table Clinics with Dental Health Education

Special Appearances from the Wisdom Tooth and the Tooth Fairy!!!

Event sponsored by the Pierce County Dental Society, Pierce County Dental Foundation and the Washington Dental Service Foundation

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According to Sound Outreach Services, “On any given night in Pierce County 2000 people experience homelessness. This number includes babies, children, teens, and adults. They are victims of domestic violence, people with disabilities, veterans, and senior citizens…Project Homeless Connect provides a starting place on the journey back to safety, stability, health, and hope. Project Homeless Connect reduces the duration of homelessness by providing services that address the basic needs; basic medical and dental care, access to education, employment and benefits systems, chemical dependency assessments, flu shots, haircuts, and much more – all under one roof!”

Please share news of this upcoming 10/26/16 event. To volunteer in the Dental Services area, contact pcds@pcdentists.org. Attendees interested in the dental services are encouraged to arrive early.

Event will be held once again at the Tacoma Armory in downtown Tacoma.

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Recent update on Washington Apple Health Dental Coverage

Date: March 10, 2016
Author: Dawn Jacobs
Categories: ABCD, Adult Dental, Affordable Care Act, Health Care Authority, Medicaid, Oral Health Trends

WA Apple Health Dental Update Presentation 2016.03

On March 9, 2016, Pierce County Oral Health Coalition members and others convened to gain insight and updates on Washington State’s Apple Health (Medicaid) dental coverage for children and adults. In her presentation, Dianne Baum, Dental Program Administrator for Washington Apple Health shared: status and scope of dental benefits provided to our state’s residents who qualify for Apple Health benefits, state-wide Apple Health dental provider statistics, and important information on state provider audit programs and potential audit criteria and triggers.

Providers are responsible for checking the HCA website for updates. Washington’s Apple Health Dental Billing Guides are updated quarterly: January, April, July and October. There is a separate guide for the Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (“ABCD”) program. Ms. Baum suggested signing up for “go-delivery” e-mails and visiting the Dental webpage.

An engaging question and answer session followed the presentation, focused primarily on preauthorization of dental services and other claims handling issues. Ms. Baum’s presentation included helpful links and contact information for providers. Apple Health clients will also find valuable information about their benefits on HCA’s “For Clients” page, including a current summary of adult dental benefits.

“This was incredibly helpful and specific information for dental billers, and nice to have additional Health Care Authority Apple Health resource information,” remarked one participant.

Presentation Handouts:

 

Today and tomorrow only! Ages 50+ dental care seminar

Date: February 18, 2016
Author: Dawn Jacobs
Categories: Adult Dental, Oral health pathology, Oral Health Strategies, Oral Systemic Health

Oral health care is important at every age!

Today and tomorrow afternoon, Pierce County Community Connections is hosting a “Caring for Your Teeth after 50” seminar as follows:

  • February 18, 2016, 12:10-12:50 p.m. at the County City Building, Rainier Conference Room, 7th Floor, 930 S. Tacoma Avenue, Tacoma
  • February 19, 2016, 12:10-12:50 p.m. at the Pierce County Annex, 2401 S. 35th Street, Tacoma

“Caring for Your Teeth after 50” will provide important information about effective oral care and health. Particularly after 50 years of age, the mouth and teeth begin to change. This is often compounded by changes in diet and metabolism, increased use of medications and other medical conditions. In addition, people visit their dentist less frequently. Oral health is also directly linked to many chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and dementia.

“Older adults have to pay attention to their oral health,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, Manager of Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources. “Good health, good diet and good teeth are closely connected. We want people to understand the connections and learn about the enormous benefits of ongoing prevention.”

The workshops will be presented by Claire Brannan, BS, owner of Mobile Classes and Consulting. Clare teaches classes to caregivers and seniors to help them better understand common issues facing aging adults. Her presentation is sponsored by the Washington Dental Services Foundation and Pierce County Aging & Disability Resources.

All sessions are free and there is no RSVP required. For more information please call the Pierce County Aging & Disability Resource Center at (253) 798-4600 or (800) 562-0332. In case of inclement weather call (253) 798-8787 for possible postponement or cancellation.