Oral health is essential to overall health, yet more than 48 million Americans live in what the federal government has deemed dental professional shortage areas. Community Catalyst works to improve access to dental care by supporting state-based advocates in identifying and implementing effective community- informed solutions.
Latinx advocates have been leaders and partners in the strong health advocacy work across the country. In Virginia, advocates played a key role in the recent Medicaid expansion victory. [ Blog ]
Earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an informational bulletin underscoring the link between oral and overall health and the importance of dental care for children with Medicaid coverage. This bulletin recogni... [ Blog ]
Last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) continued the trend of approving harmful work requirements in state Medicaid programs. Arkansas joined Kentucky and Indiana and became the third state to institute a work requirement. The... [ Blog ]
We should all be able to care for our children’s oral health regardless of our immigration status. But today, U.S. immigration policies are blocking many immigrant families from getting their children needed dental care. [ Blog ]
Tera Bianchi, project director of the Dental Access Project, was quoted in an article from The Heartland Institute about a bill under consideration in the Ohio State Senate that would authorize dental therapists to practice in the state. [ News Clip ]
Poor oral health can lead to other health problems, including cardiovascular disease, and some chronic health conditions, like diabetes, are associated with poor oral health. [ Blog ]
This blog is part of a series that will highlight how structural racism in the health care system negatively affects the health of individuals of color. Community Catalyst is committed to exposing and dismantling policies, practices and attit... [ Blog ]
If you arrived at an emergency room or urgent care clinic with a painful infection of your finger that is causing you to miss work and otherwise interfere with daily living – would they give you pain relievers and send you on your way? [ Blog ]
A primary care doctor shares his insights on the connection between good oral health and overall health, and the importance of expanding the dental care team. [ Blog ]
Dental therapists have been practicing in the U.S. for more than 10 years. They have improved access to dental care for underserved communities in Alaska since 2005 and in Minnesota since 2011. [ Blog ]
On January 30, 26-year-old Vadim Kondratyuk of California, a father to two small children, died from a dental infection that spread to his blood and his lungs. Tragically, Vadim is not alone. Each year, millions of people go without treatment to their ... [ Blog ]
Tera Bianchi, project manager for the Dental Access Project, is quoted on DrBicuspid.com talking about our new poll confirming that the vast majority of Americans want a mid-level dental provider like Dental Therapists. [ News Clip ]
Children’s Action Alliance (CAA) seeks to influence policies and decisions affecting the lives of Arizona children and their families on issues related to health, child abuse and neglect, early care and education, budget and taxes, juvenile justice, children and immigration, and working families.
Kansas Action for Children's mission is to shape health, education and economic policy that will improve the lives of Kansas children and families.
Health Care For All (HCFA) seeks to create a consumer-centered health care system that provides comprehensive, affordable, accessible, culturally competent, high quality care and consumer education for everyone, especially the most vulnerable. HCFA works to achieve this as a leader in public policy, advocacy, education and service to consumers in Massachusetts.
UHCAN Ohio's mission is to achieve high quality, accessible, affordable health care for all Ohioans.
Voices for Vermont's Children's mission is to promote public policy that enhances the lives of children and youth in Vermont.
The Children Alliance's mission is to improve the well being of children by effecting positive changes in public policies, priorities, and programs.
With over 40,000 members, Washington CAN! is the state’s largest grassroots community organization. Washington CAN! works to achieve racial, social, and economic justice in our state and nation. Their strength as an organization depends on our members’ involvement and they believe that they can only achieve their goals when people take action for justice.
This brief provides an overview of Medicaid 1115 waivers as one innovative approach to improving the oral health care delivery system and moving toward oral health equity. [ Publication ]
Some states are addressing many of the barriers listed in this fact sheet by authorizing the use of dental therapists as part of the dental team. [ Publication ]
This fact sheet discusses the importance of Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in providing dental coverage and oral health services. [ Resource ]
More than one hundred partners from around the country signed on to a letter to the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The letter strongly urged CODA to implement the dental therapy educational standards they adopted earlier this year. [ Comment Letter ]
This fact sheet explains the Commission on Dental Accreditation newly adopted standards for dental therapy training standards and next steps in the accreditation process for the dental therapy program. [ Publication ]
Dental therapists offer the opportunity to enhance the dental workforce and bring quality, affordable dental care to every community. [ Publication ]
Convened by Community Catalyst, a panel of academic experts has developed a set of evidence-based, national standards for education programs that train dental therapists in the United States. [ Publication ]
Community Catalyst convened a panel of national experts to develop a set of national standards to education programs that train dental therapists in the United States. This papers summarizes their findings. [ Publication ]
The ACA represents a significant opportunity to expand dental coverage to millions of children. Unfortunately, the separate treatment of dental and medical benefits in regulations present challenges to ensuring dental coverage access to all children. [ Publication ]
This report assesses the economic viability of services provided by practicing midlevel dental providers in the U.S. and shows that they are expanding preventive dental care to people who need it most: children and those who can't afford care. [ Publication ]
Dental therapists are increasing access to oral health care especially for those who need it most: low-income families, people of color, people living in rural areas, and those on Medicaid. [ Publication ]
Community Catalyst supports Senator Sanders' legislation to systematically improve access to oral health care services, including the extension of comprehensive dental insurance to millions of Americans. [ Publication ]
In 2016, with support from the Dental Access Project, consumer health advocates in Vermont successfully won passage of legislation authorizing dental therapy into law, increasing access to dental care for all residents in Vermont. [Pictured Above]
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