Posts by Lauren Sawyer
DMAS Study Highlights Need for Dental Benefit
A study released today by the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) found a high usage of the emergency department (ED) for dental issues among Medicaid recipients. Currently, Virginia’s Medicaid program does not provide a comprehensive dental benefit for all enrollees. In 2018, nearly 16,000 Medicaid recipients visited the ED roughly 19,000 times for…
Read MoreRev Your Bev Q&A – Promoting Water in Our Communities
On May 9, Virginia schools, healthcare providers, community centers, and more will host events as part of the annual Rev Your Bev Day. Since 2013, Rev Your Bev has hosted more than 1,800 events across the commonwealth to get Virginia’s children drinking water over sugar sweetened beverages. As health advocates we know the importance of…
Read More2018 Virginia Oral Health Summit Speaker Q&A Series Dr. Jennifer Lee
Ahead of the 2018 Virginia Oral Health Summit on November 8, we’ll be hearing from some of our speakers about their efforts to improve health. I recently spoke with Dr. Jennifer Lee, Agency Director for Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, to learn more about the lead up to Medicaid expansion and the work she and her…
Read MoreVirginia Oral Health Coalition Receives Community Award
On October 18 we were honored to receive the Williamsburg Health Foundation Annual Award for our collaborative work with partners in Williamsburg and across the state to improve health outcomes. The award, given each year to an organization that has improved the lives of Williamsburg residents, recognized the incredible efforts made by VaOHC staff and community partners.…
Read More2018 Virginia Oral Health Summit Speaker Q&A Series Dr. Matt Allen
Ahead of the 2018 Virginia Oral Health Summit on November 8, we’ll be hearing from some of our speakers about their work to improve health. I recently spoke with featured speaker Dr. Matt Allen, a dentist and motivational interviewing expert, to learn more about the role of motivational interviewing in dentistry and health care. Dr. Allen has…
Read MoreIntegrating Oral Health in the Community with Home Visitor Trainings
Home visitors are an integral part of Virginia’s health care system; they are on the front lines of care and education, reaching rural or at-risk populations who may otherwise fall through the cracks. As members of the communities they serve, home visitors build trust with patients and families and create long-lasting, ongoing relationships with community…
Read MoreThree messages to reinforce with parents and caregivers this back to school season
Virginia students miss nearly 1 million hours of school each year for dental problems. With the beginning of a new school year around the corner, now is a great time for health advocates and providers across the state to work together to improve oral health for all students by sharing with parents and caregivers a…
Read MorePartner Profile: How the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations is Creating an Equal Virginia for All
Challenges facing the Latino community have been all over the news recently. To understand the efforts happening here in Virginia to ensure all communities have opportunities to succeed I sat down with Beatriz Amberman, chair of the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations (VACOLAO) and member of the Virginia Oral Health Coalition legislative committee, to learn…
Read MoreCommunicating the Importance of Dental Care During Pregnancy
Expectant mothers have a lot to keep track of, and misperceptions on the importance and safety of dental care during pregnancy can push oral health care to the bottom of the list. Medical professionals and family educators can drive home the value of dental care and increase the chance a woman will visit the dentist…
Read More