Spring 2022

Snohomish Health District’s quarterly newsletter covering all things oral health, with a focus on the pediatric population. Stay up to date about training opportunities, resources for families, oral health equity, local advocacy, and the Access to Baby & Child Dentistry (ABCD) program.

In this issue...

1. News: Expansion of ABCD to CYSHCN
2. Dental Resources
3. ABCD Training Information
4. The Dental Access Coalition
5. A Note on Health Equity

News Bite

Expansion of the ABCD Program to CYSHCN

Recently, legislation passed and now funding has been provided to expand the Access to Baby and Child Dentistry program’s benefits to Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) who have a Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) indicator up to the child’s 13^th birthday.

For further information regarding ABCD and to find a specialized dentist for your child, please visit:

The ABCD Dental website: Home - ABCD Dental (abcd-dental.org)
The DentistLink website: DentistLink Connect with a Washington State Dentist for Dental Care

Learn more about becoming an Apple Health dental provider here.

Resource Bite

Low-Cost Dental Resource List

Snohomish Health District maintains a list of dentists who provide services to low-income adults and children. The Low-Cost Dental Resource List includes dentists and clinics and the services they provide, such as languages, emergency care, and child dental care. You can find the latest version here. To be added or removed from the list, or to make edits to your listing, please email dentalinfo@snohd.org.

DentistLink

All people in Washington, whether insured by Medicaid, private insurance, or no insurance, can receive dental referrals through DentistLink. A referral specialist will help the client find a dentist in their area who meets their needs. Spanish-speaking referral specialists are available. Call or text 844-888-5465.

Access to Baby & Child Dentistry

The Access to Baby & Child Dentistry (ABCD) program connects children under the age of 6 who are insured by Medicaid/Apple Health with a dental home. This program can support families in identifying a dentist, transportation, or other basic needs. Contact the Snohomish County ABCD Coordinator, Melinda Lozovoy, at MLozovoy@snohd.org or the ABCD Community PHN, Michelle Rolfson, at MRolfson@snohd.org, or call 425-388-5040.

Training Bite

Access to Baby & Child Dentistry (ABCD) Provider Training

The Access to Baby & Child Dentistry (ABCD) program trains dentists to provide care to children under the age of 6 on Medicaid/Apple Health. ABCD-certified dentists receive enhanced fees through Medicaid for certain procedures and education. ABCD certification requires just a few hours of CDE-eligible training that is delivered by a volunteer dentist in your area.

To become an ABCD dentist, complete an ABCD refresher training, or if you are already an ABCD dentist and would like to complete Phase II Interim Therapeutic Restoration (ITR) training, contact the Snohomish County ABCD Coordinator, Melinda Lozovoy, at MLozovoy@snohd.org.

Make a difference for children in Snohomish County by becoming an ABCD provider!

Professional Resources Bite

Learn about your role as a healthcare professional during the COVID-19 pandemic through an ethical and legal lens by taking the course, "Dentistry in the Pandemic, an Ethical Perspective," available on the Arcora Foundation website: Dentistry in the Pandemic an Ethical Perspective

By taking this course, you can also earn 1 continuing education credit. Original Release Date: April 2022. Expiration Date: April 2025.

Dental Access Coalition Bite

The Dental Access Coalition (DAC) of Snohomish County is a community partnership of oral-health providers and stakeholders with the goal of promoting oral health throughout the lifespan. The mission of the DAC is to:

Improve access to comprehensive, coordinated dental care
Mobilize community resources, agencies, and institutions to action
Advocate for prevention and early intervention

The DAC convenes quarterly. The next DAC meeting will be held over Microsoft Teams on Friday, May 27th, from 9:00-10:00 AM. All who are interested in collaborating with other oral health stakeholders in our community are invited to join. Please contact Melinda Lozovoy at MLozovoy@snohd.org if you are interested in learning more about the DAC.

Health Equity Bite

Breaking Down Barriers

The latest Smile Survey conducted by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) shows improvement among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) for dental decay since 2005. Although there has been a widespread decrease in dental decay, it is important to note that BIPOC children still reported a 50% higher rate of decay compared to white children. In addition to the higher rates of decay, non-white children also have larger percentages of decay left untreated, ranging from 15% for Hispanic children to 26% for Pacific Islanders (Whiteford, 2021). The above rates of dental decay are due to social determinants of health that disproportionately affect the BIPOC community, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Washington State is working to overcome barriers for CHYSCN and BIPOC families through:

The Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) program that connects low- income families to quality dental care.
Community water fluoridation that can reduce tooth decay by around 30% for children ages 4-17.
SmileMobile which provides free dental exams across the state of Washington for children, teens, and post-partum/pregnant people who are insured through Apple Health (Medicaid) or do not have dental coverage.

Dental decay is also being combated by specially trained dentists, child care and early learning providers. School dental sealant programs provide care for children who otherwise do not have access. Washington State tribes are partnering to improve oral health outcomes through programs such as “Baby Teeth Matter.”

As the community recognizes the importance of equity, barriers can be reduced to provide equitable access for all.