The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative, Inc.

07/30/2025

🎉 Happy birthday, Medicaid! The Medicaid program (HUSKY Health here in ) turns 60 years old today. For six decades, it's been a lifeline—helping millions access essential health and dental care. And that's something HUGE to celebrate.

Medicaid makes it possible for children, families, older adults, and people with disabilities to get the health access they need to thrive, including dental services.

🦷 Oral health is part of overall health—and Medicaid helps make that care accessible. Here's to 60 years of impact, and the work ahead to protect and strengthen it.

Check out this awesome article from Connecticut Children's with 60 reasons why : https://www.connecticutchildrens.org/growing-healthy/celebrating-60-years-medicaid-60-reasons-it-still-matters

07/29/2025

🗓️ Save the date for another event! Come visit COHI's resource table plus many more next week at InterCommunity Health Care's Wellness Dayhealth fair on August 8th! Receive free onsite care and screenings, resources from community organizations, enjoy health related activities, and much more. Registration is encouraged but not required. See you there! ✨

07/29/2025

🗓️ Save the date: Come visit COHI's resource table plus many more next week at Charter Oak Health Center's Annual Community Health and Wellness Fair! This event takes place during and celebrates on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Hope to see you there! ✨

07/25/2025

📢 NEXT WEEK: COHI is hosting a virtual forum for parents and caregivers of Black or African-American children who struggle with access to oral health care and do not have dental insurance OR are enrolled in HUSKY Health on 7/29/25. We want to learn about the difficulties you face and your past experiences receiving dental services. Participants will be compensated for their time.

COHI is working with the CT Department of Social Services to convene a series of forums to help identify and understand how the HUSKY dental program can be improved to enhance oral health around the state.

🦷 HUSKY Dental Forum Discussion For Parents and Caregivers of Black or African-American Children
🗓️ Tuesday, July 29, 2025
🕑 6:00PM- 8:00PM
💻 Virtual on Zoom (REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED)

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER NOW: https://forms.gle/pZBQ6m7QygB9RRdu9

07/23/2025

Thanks to all who joined us for our Dinner Policy Power Hour earlier this week! Missed the session? No worries - we've got another one happening tomorrow during your lunch break! ☺️

💻📱 Join us tomorrow 7/24 for a free webinar discussing recent policy successes for oral health and other reflections from the 2025 Connecticut Legislative Session. This virtual community gathering will break down key oral health and policy issues affecting Connecticut residents. This is a relaxed, informative space where we share updates, answer questions, and hear from voices across the state. Whether you're new to advocacy or a long-time community leader, this is your chance to stay informed and get involved. 🦷

🗓️ Register now ⤵

✍️ Lunchtime Legislative Hour Zoom Registration - 7/24/25 @ 12:00PM: https://tinyurl.com/COHILunchLegislativeHour

07/22/2025

We are proud of our state for recently preserving community water fluoridation, and proud of our Board President for being featured in the Governor's press release! 👏💧

“...Recognized by the CDC as one of the ten greatest public health achievements of the 20th century, water fluoridation has been proven to prevent tooth decay for the entire community in the most equitable and cost-effective manner. Community water fluoridation is the only way to cross socioeconomic lines and to benefit those living in the shadows of society who may not otherwise have access to dental care.”
- Dr. Brianna Muñoz, board-certified pediatric dentist & COHI Board of Directors President

Read more: https://portal.ct.gov/governor/news/press-releases/2025/07-2025/governor-lamont-signs-legislation-requiring-connecticut-to-preserve-water-fluoridation-standards?language=en_US

07/16/2025

🔔 Join COHI next Monday or Thursday for a free webinar discussing recent policy successes for oral health and other reflections from the 2025 Connecticut Legislative Session!

💻📱 This virtual community gathering will break down key oral health and policy issues affecting Connecticut residents. This is a relaxed, informative space where we share updates, answer questions, and hear from voices across the state. Whether you're new to advocacy or a long-time community leader, this is your chance to stay informed and get involved. 🦷

🗓️ 🗓️ We will host TWO sessions - a lunchtime session and a dinnertime session - to accommodate various schedules! Register now ⤵

✍️ Dinner Policy Power Hour Zoom Registration - 7/21/25 @ 6:30PM: https://tinyurl.com/COHIDinnerPolicyPowerHour

✍️ Lunchtime Legislative Hour Zoom Registration - 7/24/25 @ 12:00PM: https://tinyurl.com/COHILunchLegislativeHour

07/15/2025

Join COHI for a Summer Happy Hour Celebration! 🥂

You're invited to a special happy hour hosted by the Connecticut Oral Health Initiative (COHI) on Thursday, August 7, 2025 from 5:30–7:30 PM at New Park Brewing in West Hartford!

We’re gathering to celebrate our 2025 legislative wins, connect with supporters and advocates, and build community around our shared vision for equitable oral health in Connecticut. Come meet the COHI team and Board of Directors, hear a bit about what we’ve accomplished this season, and learn how you can be part of what’s next.

This is a casual, community-focused evening for networking and celebrating. Snacks and appetizers will be provided and a cash bar will be available. Otherwise, this event is free!

While this is not a fundraising event and there’s no cost to join in the fun, donations are always appreciated by joining our L.E.A.D. Program to support our mission to advocate for better oral health for all. Already a L.E.A.D. Partner? Your first drink is on us!🍻

Free registration here: https://tinyurl.com/COHIHappyHour

07/15/2025

A critical health measure for our communities, protected ✔️💧 Thanks to all fellow oral health advocates for making it happen!

BREAKING NEWS: Governor Lamont has officially signed critical legislation supporting community water fluoridation in Connecticut.

To learn more, scan the QR code below to visit the CSDA website, and click the link for the full press release.

https://ow.ly/MOIj50Wppys

07/11/2025

It's ! July commemorates the passage of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and celebrates the strength, diversity, and contributions of individuals with disabilities. 💪 🩵

While it's a time to celebrate progress, it's also a time to advocate for more inclusive, equitable practices and highlight the barriers individuals with disabilities still face in accessing services like oral health care. In our advocacy efforts, COHI prioritizes legislation and actions aimed at improving services for individuals with disabilities by expanding resources around care coordination and providing additional training for providers. 🦷🪥

📚 A recent study from CareQuest Institute for Oral Health shows that individuals with disabilities are more likely to have worse oral health outcomes, with 25% reporting they delayed care, missed an appointment, or were unable to obtain necessary health care, including oral health. Over 30% reported that their dental office does not provide them with accommodations for their dental visits.

Learn more and read the full CareQuest report: https://www.carequest.org/resource-library/exploring-oral-health-and-care-access-among-adults-disabilities

07/10/2025

Happening tonight; last call for sign ups!

📢 Are you a dental provider that works with HUSKY dental members? We want to hear from YOU in our upcoming virtual forum NEXT WEEK!

In partnership with the CT Department of Social Services, COHI is hosting a forum for Dental providers who serve HUSKY members. In an effort to learn about providers’ experience in the network and generate recommendations for improvement, we need your input!

🦷 FOR PROVIDERS: HUSKY Dental Forum Discussion
🗓️ Thursday, July 10, 2025
🕑 6:00PM- 8:00PM
📍 💻 VIRTUAL via Zoom (link to be sent following registration)

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED; sign up here: https://forms.gle/RRRoXe1L4jwptNct5