The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative, Inc.

09/26/2025

COHI is proud to honor the recent retirement of Dr. Donna Balaski, after 25 years of dedicated service to our state!

Her career began as Commissioner of the Board of Education Services for the Blind and continued as Director of the Connecticut Medicaid Dental Program, where she helped build one of the nation’s leading dental programs. Her leadership, expertise, and advocacy made Connecticut a model for dental policy and care, earning her national recognition and induction as a Fellow of the American College of Dentists—an honor reserved for only 3.5% of dentists nationwide.

Dr. Balaski’s impact is felt widely, especially through her relentless commitment to providers, members, and the belief that oral health is essential to overall well-being.

She has been a great partner and advisor to COHI and a true champion for Medicaid oral health services in our state. She will be deeply missed and long remembered as a leading advocate for oral health in Connecticut and beyond and we wish her all the best in her next chapter! 💙 🦷

09/24/2025

Calling all providers! As part of the planning for an upcoming Oral Health & Menopause event in November, UConn Health Disparities Institute is conducting a brief provider survey.

This survey gathers provider knowledge and perspectives on the connection between menopause and oral health. It should take no more than 5 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous.

The findings will inform how HDI shapes their upcoming event, and identify what resources would be most useful to providers. Thank you so much in advance for your insights!

Access the survey here: https://tinyurl.com/HDIProviderSurvey

09/23/2025

Calling all Windsor, CT individuals and families: we are bringing FREE oral health resources to you THIS WEEK at the farmer's market! 🦷 🧑‍🌾

Visit COHI at the Windsor Farmer's Market this Thursday, September 25 as we bring oral health promotion directly to Windsor area residents and give you the tools and resources needed to maintain and improve oral health at home. The event will include interactive games, light refreshments, and complimentary oral health kits and supplies!

Check out all the details in the flyer below. We hope to see you there 🪥

09/23/2025

Del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre, el celebra la historia, la cultura y las contribuciones de las comunidades hispanas y latinas. Aquí en Connecticut, estas comunidades enriquecen nuestros vecindarios, fortalecen nuestra fuerza laboral y aportan voces invaluables para abogar por un futuro más saludable.

En COHI, sabemos que la salud oral es esencial para la salud general; y que con demasiada frecuencia, las familias hispanas y latinas enfrentan barreras para acceder a la atención que necesitan. Por eso, seguimos comprometidos a fortalecer y proteger el acceso a servicios de salud oral asequibles y equitativos para todos. Al trabajar junto a socios comunitarios, proveedores y defensores, estamos dedicados a lograr 💙

09/22/2025

From September 15 to October 15, celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. Here in Connecticut, these communities enrich our neighborhoods, strengthen our workforce, and bring invaluable voices to the table in advocating for a healthier future.

At COHI, we know that oral health is essential to overall health; and that too often, Hispanic and Latino families face barriers to accessing the care they need. That’s why we remain dedicated to strengthening and safeguarding access to affordable, equitable oral health services for everyone. By working alongside community partners, providers, and advocates, we are committed to achieving 🩵 🪥

09/18/2025

TOMORROW! ⤵️

Are you a senior citizen in Windsor, CT? We are hosting a FREE oral health resource fair just for you! 🥳

On September 19, COHI is bringing oral health promotion directly to seniors in the Windsor area and giving them the tools and resources they need to maintain and improve their oral health at home. The event will include interactive games, light refreshments, and complimentary oral health kits and supplies!

Check out all the details in the flyer below. We hope to see you there! 🦷🪥

09/15/2025

📺 ICYMI: COHI recently hosted a free webinar discussing policy successes for oral health and other reflections from the 2025 Connecticut Legislative Session and it is now ready to view!

This virtual community gathering breaks down key oral health and policy issues affecting Connecticut residents in a relaxed, informative space where we shared updates, answered questions, and heard from voices across the state.

Check out our Legislative Policy Power Hour webinar here: https://youtu.be/7_VAv7TBtiY?si=khHTt7hDX8NyH_SA

On July 21, the Connecticut Oral Health Initiative (COHI) hosted a free webinar for Connecticut community members to discuss recent policy successes for oral...

09/12/2025

📊 COHI is proud to reveal its latest survey report, based on responses from over 75 participants at this summer's Connecticut Mission of Mercy (CTMOM) free dental clinic to learn more about residents' reasonings for attending the clinic for services.

Key findings included access to care barriers, lack of insurance, lack of trust and comfort at the dentist, and more.

CTMOM hosts this free dental clinic yearly, ensuring many Connecticut residents can access critical oral health care. This year's event saw nearly 1,200 patients and provided over $1.2M in dental care services.

Read our full survey report here: https://www.ctoralhealth.org/data-and-research

09/12/2025

Today, COHI Executive Director Gary Turco and Policy & Advocacy Director Sandra Ferreira visited the University of Bridgeport’s Fones School of Dental Hygiene — the first school of dental hygiene in Connecticut, and in the world! 🦷✨

We had a great discussion with their leadership team about the important role their dental hygiene and expanded function dental assistant programs play in addressing Connecticut’s oral health workforce needs.

The Fones School also gives back in a big way through community service, offering free and low-cost services to residents and underserved populations. They even operate a public dental hygiene clinic where anyone can access affordable care: 👉 UB Dental Hygiene Clinic - https://www.bridgeport.edu/ub-clinics/dental-hygiene

COHI looks forward to working with the University of Bridgeport to advocate for the needs of students, dental hygienists, and dental assistants, while strengthening oral health access for communities across our state. 💜



Fones School of Dental Hygiene

09/08/2025

Exciting news! 🎉 COHI has received a $100,000 grant from Point32Health Foundation/CarePartners of Connecticut to improve oral health access for older adults in Connecticut.

"Oral health is an essential part of overall health, especially as we age. But many older adults experience significant barriers to receiving necessary oral health services to maintain their health,” said Gary Turco, COHI Executive Director. “COHI is grateful to Point32Health Foundation for supporting our work towards ensuring that all of Connecticut's older adults have access to affordable, high-quality, and culturally competent oral health care, while empowering them with the knowledge and tools they need to care for their oral health and age with dignity."

This grant will support work centered on creating an awareness of the existing problems older adults face with accessing oral health care, and an urgency toward solutions over the next two years. We're grateful and proud to be breaking barriers and advancing healthy aging together with Point32Health!

09/05/2025

Are you a senior citizen in Windsor, CT? We are hosting a FREE oral health resource fair just for you! 🥳

On September 19, COHI is bringing oral health promotion directly to seniors in the Windsor area and giving them the tools and resources they need to maintain and improve their oral health at home. The event will include interactive games, light refreshments, and complimentary oral health kits and supplies!

Check out all the details in the flyer below. We hope to see you there! 🦷🪥

08/28/2025

📢 Last call to register for our final oral health forums, happening TONIGHT! Are you a Southeastern Connecticut dental provider or a resident in the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community? We want to hear about your experience with dental care 🦷🪥

In partnership with the CT Department of Social Services, COHI is hosting several forum for previous/current HUSKY members or those without dental insurance, as well as for dental providers who serve HUSKY Dental members. Our goal is to use what we learn in the forums to help inform ways Connecticut can improve oral health access for residents across the state.

Registration is required and a Zoom link will be sent following registration. All sign-ups here: tinyurl.com/CTOralHealthForums