Brush Up | Summer 2023

Vol. 2, Issue 2

info@arcorafoundation.org

In this issue:

Culturally appropriate care training at PNDC.
Seattle/King County Clinic recap.
New class of ABCD dental hygienists.
2023 Legislative Session wins.
Recruitment for Dental Access Improvement Team.
SmileMobile schedule.
Arcora Foundation Community Report.

Patient wearing headscarf smiles while in dental chair.

Culturally appropriate care comes to PNDC.

Culturally appropriate care in dentistry promotes positive health outcomes and strong patient relationships. To support the best health care experiences for all Washingtonians, the state will require all licensed health care providers to complete continuing education in health equity starting in 2024.

The Pacific Northwest Dental Conference (PNDC), June 15-17, is a great opportunity to better understand the unique needs and perspectives of yourself and patients. Join Dr. Douglass Jackson and Ginlin Woo for a two-part CDE training on culturally appropriate care. These interactive sessions will give you the foundational skills and frameworks to offer flexible, responsive, and high-quality care.

Thursday, June 15 | 4-5:30 p.m.

Introduction to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) in the Dental Office (Part 1)

1.5 CDE credits

Friday, June 16 | 1:30-3:00 p.m.

Care, Compassion & Connection: Delivering Culturally Appropriate Care (Part 2)

1.5 CDE credits

Unable to make these in-person sessions? Our culturally appropriate care courses will be adapted into online courses later this year.

Visit our complete catalog for current online CDE offerings.

SmileMobile volunteers: Dr. Etemadi and dental assistants Pegah and Freschta.

Volunteer providers key for another successful Seattle/King County Clinic.

Approximately 1,600 patients received essential, compassionate dental care during this year's Seattle/King County Clinic (SKCC) on April 27-30. Thank you to the 500 licensed health care professionals and 500 general support workers who volunteered each day of the clinic.

Our team was lucky to speak with several SKCC patients during the four-day clinic. Across all conversations, one theme stood out above the rest: volunteer providers not just treated patients—they changed lives.

“The first time I came here, it brought me to tears [with] how many volunteers there were and how fine-tuned it was. You could just tell these people were really invested in getting people take care of.” - Roberta, SKCC patient

“The amount of work I had today makes seeking out future dental care feel more achievable...I feel more empowered to try and go. They even equipped me with further resources and where I can go to other clinics throughout the year.” - Maya, SKCC patient

Pop-up clinics like SKCC underscore the need for expanded preventive oral health and dental access resources not only in the Puget Sound area, but in communities across the state. Dental is historically the most requested service at the clinic. Thank you for partnering with Arcora in our shared goal of finding everyone a dental home.

Learn more about SKCC and the need for expanded dental access.

Columbia Basin College dental hygienists pose for group photo

ABCD welcomes new class of trained hygienists.

Columbia Basin College recently celebrated a milestone. Their first class of hygienists with their Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) training graduated, which makes them eligible for expedited certification. Congratulations to this amazing group! Dental hygienists are trusted oral health advocates for families of young children.

All members of the dental team can benefit from ABCD training. Both Washington state dentists and hygienists are eligible for certification and enhanced rates. Front office staff and dental assistants are encouraged to join their clinic’s ABCD training, as they play an active role in working with young patients. A concurrent session on ABCD billing procedures and protocols is offered to billing staff new to Apple Health (Medicaid).

ABCD-certified teams are equipped to serve young smiles and deliver improved patient outcomes. Many are able to build their practices while expanding access to care in their communities.

Learn more about ABCD certification for your practice.

Wins for oral health in 2023 Legislative Session.

It’s been another great year for oral health policy! Thanks to the advocacy of dental providers, community organizations, and other partners, legislators passed several measures to support access to dental care during the 2023 Legislative Session. These wins include:

Increase in the allowable number of periodontal maintenance (code D4910) to up to 4 per 12-month period for adult Apple Health (Medicaid) enrollees with diabetes, effective January 1, 2024.
40% increase in Apple Health fee-for-service rate for pediatric dental cleanings (code D1120), effective January 1, 2024.
Continued funding to support the DentistLink and Health Care Authority public/private partnership to support providers serving Apple Health patients and to connect more Washingtonians to care.

And thank you for your support for ESHB 1251, which requires 90 days of public notice before a decision to stop or start community water fluoridation. Because of advocates like you, this bill has been signed into law. Fluoridation is an effective and equitable way to prevent tooth decay. This legislation will help ensure residents—as well as their dental and medical providers—have timely and accurate information about a decision that impacts their health and wellbeing.

Explore the oral health issues most important to your community.

We’re looking to expand our DAIT circle.

Do you want to help expand access to dental care for more patients?

Our dynamic and diverse Dental Access Improvement Team (DAIT) invites you to bring your perspective to Apple Health (Medicaid) in Washington state. Convening quarterly, this group has just begun to transform dental care, and we want you to be a part of it.

This is your opportunity to collaborate and work directly with the Health Care Authority and a group of your colleagues to build a better Medicaid network. The DAIT’s shared goal is to remove barriers to dental care for Apple Health-enrolled Washingtonians. DAIT members follow a peer-to-peer recruitment model to build relationships with other dental providers to improve processes and understand needs.

Please contact Carl George at cgeorge@arcorafoundation.org to find out more about this unique opportunity offered to providers in all facets of oral health care.

Upcoming SmileMobile schedule.

The SmileMobile returns to Western Washington for the summer! Earn CDE credits by volunteering on our mobile dental van at a clinic near you—up to 7 CDEs for dentists and up to 5 CDEs for hygienists. Half-day and full-day volunteer slots are available at all clinics.

If you have any questions about the SmileMobile or would like to get involved as a volunteer, contact Karri Amundson at kamundson@arcorafoundation.org.

Date	Clinic Location
June 12 - 16	Pullman
June 19 - 23	White Salmon
June 26 - 30	Longview
July 6 & 7	South Whidbey
July 10 - 14	South Whidbey
July 17 - 21	Everett
July 24 - 28	Chimacum
July 31 - Aug. 4	Port Townsend
Aug. 7 - 11	Port Angeles
Aug. 14 - 18	Tacoma
Aug. 21 - 25	Orting

Fanned out print pages of Arcora Foundation community report.

ICYMI: Arcora Foundation 2023 Community Report.

Arcora released our 2023 Community Report at the end of March. This report highlights shared accomplishments alongside dental and medical providers, policymakers, state partners, and community organizations. These highlights include:

Free dental clinics in partnership with the Pierce County Local Impact Network.
Official start of our Dental Access Improvement Team (DAIT).
Northwest Tribal Dental Support Center’s We Smile collaborative for minimally invasive dental care.
Pilot launch of our culturally appropriate care training.

Explore our full 2023 community report.

Explore our calendar of events

Do you have events coming up? Please share with us at info@arcorafoundation.org.

June 10 | Spokane

Spokane Pride Parade & Festival.

Spokane Pride is committed to developing Pride experiences that are welcoming, engaging, and accessible for people of all identities and experiences. The 2023 Pride Festival—hosted in Riverfront Park—will offer entertainment and resources for the whole family.

Arcora and Delta Dental of Washington are proud to support this year’s event and connect with members of Spokane’s LGBTQIA+ community. Visit Arcora’s booth for more information on DentistLink and other dental care resources.

Looking for something a little more...glittery? Decorate a pair of fairy wings with The Tooth Fairy Experience! We hope to see you there.

Learn more: Spokane Pride.

June 15-17 | Seattle

Pacific Northwest Dental Conference.

"Arcora looks forward to seeing you at the Pacific Northwest Dental Conference every year. With this year, the event returns to the summer! Arcora has offices in Seattle—a city we love—but Seattle in June (swoooon)…we can’t wait to share it with everyone!

"Please stop by our booth at the PNDC as you make your way around the Exhibition Hall. We have a lot of great program updates and exciting new legislative tidbits to share, plus an amazing giveaway colored in bright green, just in time for summer fun. Believe me when I say you don’t want to miss out on this one."

Carl George, Arcora Sr. DentistLink Outreach Specialist

Learn more: Washington State Dental Association.

Visit our programs and resources online:

Order free brochures and posters through our online portal.

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Know others who may benefit from this newsletter? They can join our mailing list here. If you have ideas on how our communications can better serve you and your team, email us at info@arcorafoundation.org.

You are receiving this email because you previously joined us in our efforts to bend the arc of oral health toward equity or opted in via our website. We thank you for your valued partnership.

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Our mission: Bending the arc of oral health toward equity.

Our vision: All people enjoy good oral and overall health with no one left behind.

Visit ArcoraFoundation.or g to learn more