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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.

DSC_0042

 

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:

 

Coalition partners provide free dental care, education and resources

Date: August 10, 2015
Author: Dawn Jacobs
Categories: Adult Dental, Emergent Care, Medicaid, Oral Health Strategies, Uncategorized, Volunteer Dental Care
Welcome to the Clinic!
Dental Clinic in action
Amazing volunteer dental team!

A little community flyer goes a long way...

“We were so blessed to have received a flyer about the free dental clinic. These people really care enough to make sure that all would be served. The amazing staff worked together to help each member of the family. What an awesome experience for all!” (Pastor C.R. Adams, New Christ Temple of Deliverance, Tacoma, WA whose staff helped make appointments for and brought a new Pierce County family of four to the 7/31/15 clinic)

Arriving by bus, foot and carpool, over 20 Pierce County adults and some children had huge reason to smile after receiving compassionate, free dental services on Friday 7/31/15 at Bates Technical College’s Dental Assisting program facilities.  Via the wonderful Pierce County Dentists Care program, five Pierce County dentists and an entire team of Bates College’s dental assisting staff and students took x-rays, performed various dental services, alleviated dental pain and problems, and answered patient questions all the while demonstrating how this valuable downtown Tacoma clinic is a caring, oral health learning environment. Jennifer Bunch (Pierce County Dental Society) has coordinated the free dental clinics for years. She expertly welcomed and put each patient at ease, and then connected them to community resources for follow up care as necessary. As for that new Pierce County family of four…they have applied for Washington Apple Health coverage and are on a path to improved oral health.

For more information about the PC Dentist Care program (for uninsured Pierce County residents), call 253-272-1101 or if in dental pain, call 2-1-1 for a dental referral.

January 2015 Project Homeless Connect focuses on youth

Date: December 29, 2014
Author: Dawn Jacobs
Categories: ABCD, Affordable Care Act, Chidren's Dental, Child Dental, Emergent Care, Health Care Authority, Medicaid, Oral Health Strategies, Uncategorized, Volunteer Dental Care

On Saturday, January 24, 2015 Project Homeless Connect will uniquely focus on providing preventive, supportive and empowering services to Pierce County youth and families with youth. Pierce County Dental Society, in partnership with its dentists and other PCOHC members will work together to provide free and much-needed dental services

Other community partners will be on hand to offer medical services, insurance information, ID replacement, haircuts, resume writing and college information (college representatives will be present). Also available: give-aways, Zumba, face painting, childcare. The event takes place at Spanaway Middle School, 15701 B Street E, Spanaway, WA,10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Interested in volunteering in the dental services area? Contact Cheryl Jenkins at pcds@pcdentists.org. All other event questions may be directed to alanna@southsoundoutreach.org or 253-593-2111 extension 121.

Spread the word: Project Homeless Connect HYPED Flyer

 

Project Homeless Connect returns to Tacoma Dome October 29

Date: September 17, 2014
Author: Dawn Jacobs
Categories: Adult Dental, Affordable Care Act, Chidren's Dental, Emergent Care, Medicaid, Oral Health Strategies, Volunteer Dental Care

Project Homeless Connect returns to the Tacoma Dome’s Exhibition Hall, 2727 D Street, Tacoma, on Wednesday, October 29. As in the past, the Pierce County Dental Society, along with other Pierce County Oral Health Coalition partners, will provide much needed dental assessments and treatment triage.

Doors open 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

PCOHC members interested in helping in the dental area should email pcds@pcdentists.org.

Please share the event information with the community as appropriate. Links to event flyers with more information, in English and Spanish, are provided below.

PHC_Flyer_October 2014 [Tacoma_Dome]

PHC_Flyer_October 2014_Spanish [Tacoma_Dome]

 

Coalition meets September 10, 2014 at Community Health Care Hilltop Regional Health Center

Date: August 19, 2014
Author: Dawn Jacobs
Categories: Adult Dental, Affordable Care Act, Child Dental, Emergent Care, Medicaid, Oral Health Strategies

The Pierce County Oral Health Coalition (PCOHC) is pleased to announce that its monthly September meeting will be hosted by Community Health Care (CHC) and held at their Hilltop Regional Health Center. The event will include a presentation on their Dental Residency Program within a Community Health Care Setting, and a tour of CHC’s new Hilltop facility.

Invitation: PCOHC September 2014 Flyer

Location:

Community Health Care Hilltop Regional Health Center

1202 Martin Luther King Jr. Way

Tacoma, WA 98405

Community Room (1st Floor)

Time: 1-3 p.m.

CE: 1 CE available

Lunch will be provided, including vegetarian options. Please RSVP by September 8, at: pcohc@pcdentists.org.

Parking: Parking is available in the CHC parking lot behind the Hilltop Regional Health Center, or on the street.