Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter. Community Fluoridation is named one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century by the CDC. Health care providers can join the conversation by talking with patients about fluoride; download these resources to learn more.
Read MoreMedical Dental Integration Documents→
/Primary care providers play an essential role in their patient’s oral health. When tooth decay goes untreated, the health consequences can be severe and lifelong—download information to learn more about integrating oral healthcare into your primary care services.
Read MoreSpokane Area Dental Resources in Marshallese→
/Spokane area dental resources, support, and oral health information are available to Marshallese-speaking community members. Download Spokane Dental Resource flyers in Marshallese.
Read MoreDentistLink Connects Patients to Oral Health Care
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People who earn less than $17,775 a year are eligible to enroll in Apple Health (Medicaid) insurance, which covers dental care. Unfortunately, that doesn't always mean they are able to access dental care they need. In fact, in Spokane in 2020, only 24% of adults with Apple Health saw a dentist. Smile Spokane’s Access Strategy seeks to close that gap and help more people get the care they need.
Read MoreAccess to Baby & Child Dentistry (ABCD) Program
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Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) program staff helps eligible kids access ABCD-certified dentists by providing case management and technical assistance.
Read MoreHelping Children Access Oral Health Care in Schools
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We want to celebrate our Sealants Strategy in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month! Tooth pain and cavities can make kids more likely to miss school and more likely to earn below-average grades. Luckily, Communities in Schools Spokane County and ToothSavers of Washington have partnered with Smile Spokane to provide sealants to kids in elementary schools. When we prevent cavities, kids stay in school, focused on achieving good grades, which supports their long-term success in life.
Read MoreCenters for Disease Control (CDC) - Oral Health→
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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is a national resource with guidelines and practices regarding oral health. The CDC’s Division of Oral Health (DOH) provides leadership to improve the nation’s oral health. They promote proven interventions, including community water fluoridation and dental sealants, to reduce the rate of cavities, especially for populations with the highest risk.
Read MoreABCD Dental Flyers - English, Marshallese, Spanish, and Russian→
/Children ages 0-5 with an Apple Health card who live in Washington state are eligible for the ABCD Dental Program. Download program informational flyers in English, Marshallese, Spanish, and Russian to learn more.
Read MoreInformation for Providers Interested in Accepting Apple Health→
/Now is a great time to accept Apple Health dental insurance! Apple Health (Medicaid) dental insurance reimbursement rates for adults have increased beginning July 1, 2021. The WA Health Care Authority (HCA) increased reimbursement rates by 100% for most adult dental services covered by Apple Health for fee-for-service providers. View this informational flyer from Dentist Link to learn more.
Read MoreBuilding Oral Health Equity in Spokane
/Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) program staff helps eligible kids access ABCD-certified dentists by providing case management and technical assistance. If a child has Apple Health (Medicaid), they are eligible to receive services through the ABCD program.
Read MoreDiabetes Awareness Month
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November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Good oral health is especially important for people with diabetes, who are 3x more likely to have gum disease. As part of Smile Spokane’s Care Coordination Strategy, Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington connects people with diabetes to oral health providers who take Apple Health Medicaid. Accessing dental services helps people with diabetes manage the health of their mouth.
Read MoreFluoridation: Improving Children's Oral Health
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By Dr. Deb Harper - The first time I saw a child with teeth destroyed to the gumlines, I thought he had ectodermal dysplasia. Never heard of that? It's a very rare inborn condition. I had seen it twice during my training at Cook County Hospital, but I had never seen what this Spokane boy had in the spring of 1985. Cavities had rotted out all of his front teeth. The difference? Chicago's water is fluoridated. Spokane's water is not.
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