Chidren’s Dental

Upcoming community events … dental and more

Date: January 21, 2014
Author: Dawn Jacobs
Categories: Adult Dental, Affordable Care Act, Chidren's Dental, Child Dental, Emergent Care, Medicaid, Oral Health Strategies, Volunteer Dental Care

Pierce County residents have many opportunities in January and February to connect with health, oral health, and personal care resources. Please spread the word about these wonderful PCOHC-member sponsored events:

  • Project Homeless Connect – Spanaway: Health care enrollment, dental, medical and other personal care services, Jan. 25, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Spanaway Middle School, 15701 B Street E.
  • Children’s Dental Health Day – Puyallup South Hill Mall: Free dental screenings, mobile dental van, community resources, and much more, Feb. 22, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

 

Pierce County dentists recognized as early learning champions

Date: January 14, 2014
Author: Dawn Jacobs
Categories: ABCD, Chidren's Dental, Child Dental
Dr. Lisa Block and Dr. Mark Kadoshima holding awards given by First 5 FUNdamentals for their work as early learning champions.

Dr. Lisa Block and Dr. Mark Kadoshima hold awards given by First Five  FUNdamentals for their work as early learning champions.

Congratulations to Pierce County dentists Dr. Lisa Block (Harbor Kids Teeth) and Dr. Mark Kadoshima (Light Touch Dental) for being named Pierce County “Early Learning Champions.”

The pair were chosen because of their leadership as Access to Baby & Child Dentistry (ABCD) champions, providers, and educators. The Pierce County early learning consortium First Five FUNdamentals presented the dentists with this award at the December 2013 ABCD community meeting. Read more … 

Dental benefits and the Affordable Care Act

Date: December 27, 2013
Author: Dawn Jacobs
Categories: Affordable Care Act, Chidren's Dental, Child Dental

More than 8.5 million U.S. children are expected to receive dental coverage as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) within five years.

However, only one of five Americans know that children’s dental services are one of the 10 “essential health benefits” included in the health reform law, according to a recent survey by the Children’s Dental Health Project.

Coverage for children’s dental services continues to be available through the Medicaid program, including programs that existed prior to the ACA.

Informing Medicaid-eligible families of the new dental benefit, and stressing that dental health as an essential part of one’s overall health, remains a community-wide challenge.

In Pierce County, numerous groups, including PCOHC member organizations, are working to educate and assist residents apply for medical and dental benefits through the state-run web site called the Washington Healthplanfinder.  Given the results from the national survey, local advocates and dental professionals still face hurdles sharing news about the ACA’s oral health coverage for children and the importance of utilizing those benefits to improve oral health community-wide.