CONNECTICUT ORAL HEALTH INITIATIVE

From a committee of the Connecticut State Dental Association to a difference-maker in resolving oral health issues.  That's the path taken by the Connecticut Oral Health Initiative (COHI) since it began in 1993, when its first task was to address the national Healthy People 2000 program's oral health goals locally.

Along the way, the Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health) has provided numerous grants to support this coalition of health professionals, business and community leaders, including:

• A $100,000 grant in 2001 to promote sound oral health policies and advocate changes in the health care system
• An additional $100,000 in 2002 from CT Health and the Universal Health Foundation of Connecticut to become an independent, nonprofit organization in 2003 focusing on oral health issues
• An additional $595,000 in CT Health grants from 2004-2008

Since its transformation to oral health advocate, COHI has:

• Worked to keep dental coverage under Medicaid for adults
• Advocated for increased dental Medicaid reimbursement for children's dental services, which was enacted April 1, 2008
• Advocated for settlement of the Medicaid lawsuit, which was settled in fall 2007 and contributed to the fee increase
• Coordinated the oral health strategy group, which focuses on the long-term effectiveness of Connecticut's restructured Medicaid dental program
• Raised public awareness about oral health issues through presentations, the COHI Online newsletter, and legislative breakfasts statewide

Website: www.ctoralhealth.org