Tag: DEI

Teamwork Beyond the Pitch: Why Oral Health Takes a Community 

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Men celebrating a goal during a sports match

In July, the country welcomed the world for the FIFA World Cup, and we celebrated incredible teamwork on the pitch. If you’ve ever watched a winning soccer team in action, you know it’s never about one superstar carrying the whole match (sorry, ball hogs). Championships are won through coordination—the defense talking to the midfield, the midfield setting up the forwards, the coach calling plays from the sideline, and yes, even that one person in the stands yelling “pass it” for reasons that remain unclear to everyone, including them. 

Turns out, it takes similar teamwork to improve oral health. While we often think of oral health as a personal responsibility, remembering to brush, floss, and schedule dental appointments, the reality is that healthy communities are built through teamwork. No single person or organization can improve oral health alone. 

The Starting Lineup

Think of community oral health like a soccer roster, where everyone has a position to play: 

Dentists and dental hygienists are your forwards—on the front lines, delivering the care that keeps smiles healthy. But forwards can’t score without support. 

Schools are the midfield, connecting the dots. They’re where kids spend most of their waking hours, making them a natural spot for screenings, education, and referrals to care. Washington schools played an important role in completing the latest Smile Survey. Through school screenings, this statewide assessment of second and third graders provides a snapshot of tooth decay rates, use of dental sealants, and other measures to give us key insights into our children’s oral health. 

Community organizations play defense, catching those who might otherwise fall through the cracks—families without easy access to transportation, insurance, or even basic information about why oral health matters in the first place (hint: it’s connected to nearly everything else in the body, from heart health to diabetes management). 

Policymakers are the coaches, setting the strategy from the sideline. Smart policy, like expanding Apple Health (Medicaid), community water fluoridation, dental benefits or funding school-based sealant programs, can change the outcome of the whole game before a single appointment happens. 

Take any one of these players off the pitch, and the whole formation falls apart. A great dentist can’t fix a system where families can’t afford care. A great policy means nothing if there’s no one on the ground to implement it. It really does take a full team. 

Why This Matters

Oral health disparities don’t happen by accident; they’re often the result of gaps between systems. A kid might see a school nurse who flags a dental issue, but if there’s no clear path connecting that flag to an actual dentist appointment, the play falls apart before it ever reaches the goal. 

That’s the gap we’re working to close. Not by replacing any one player on the pitch, but by helping the whole team move together. 

From the Pitch to the Community

When schools, health care providers, policymakers, community leaders, and local organizations work together, we can help remove obstacles and create pathways to better health. Small actions, from sharing information with families to supporting community programs, can have a lasting impact. 

The benefits reach far beyond a healthy smile. Good oral health supports overall health, school success, workplace productivity, and confidence. When people can access the care they need, entire communities are stronger for it. 

As visitors from around the globe visited our state, it’s a good reminder that world-class communities are built through teamwork. The same spirit that brings athletes, fans, and cities together can help create a future where everyone can achieve good oral health. 

From the pitch to the community, oral health matters.

Interested in learning more about efforts to improve oral health access across Washington? Explore resources and community initiatives that help build healthier futures for everyone. 

Juneteenth: A Living Legacy of Resilience, Resistance, and Joy

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Learn more about the history and symbolism of the Juneteenth flag.

More than remembrance

Juneteenth, the oldest commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S., holds space for multiple truths.

It is a day to honor Black people who survived the brutality of slavery. A day to recognize the long, unfinished journey toward America’s promise of freedom for all. But it is also a day rooted in celebration—of resilience, culture, joy, and community.

Earlier this year, during the inaugural Arcora Foundation-Delta Dental of Washington Black History Month Mixer and Community Conversation, we got a glimpse of the richness that comes from community. Colleagues, community members, and other guests gathered in a space where they could be seen, heard, and celebrated.

Guest speakers Cortnee Blayton and Kimberly Reason brought authenticity, depth, and wisdom through their personal insights on the breadth of the Black experience. Their perspectives spanned history and the present day, exploring how the past continues to echo in our lives and workplaces, and how joy is not just a feeling, but a form of resistance and renewal.

The conversation moderators were Arcora President and CEO Vanetta Abdellatif and Delta Dental of Washington Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Monty Robinson, who both identify as Black. Together, they guided a rich dialogue on the necessity of joy as fuel for the soul, the enduring reach of history across generations, and the profound gratitude we carry for the relatives and mentors who helped shepherd us into a better future. Vanetta reflected on the evening by saying, “Any time we intentionally create space for people to sit at someone else’s table, real community building happens.”

Why Juneteenth matters

Juneteenth is not only a time to reflect on our past; it’s an opportunity to understand how the past continues to shape the present.

The same history that delayed freedom continues to shape the systems we navigate today. Inequities don’t exist in isolation; they are often threaded through communities in ways that affect access to care, economic opportunity, education, and overall well-being.

That reality is part of the story, too.

At Arcora, we recognize that improving health outcomes means understanding those broader contexts. It means listening, learning, and working alongside communities to address barriers that have persisted over time. It also means making space for experiences and solutions that come from within communities themselves.

Our commitment to oral health is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive, with dignity, support, and a true sense of belonging. We center those most affected by systemic inequities—Black as well as Indigenous, other communities of color, and additional groups held back—to change those systems, so that everyone has a fair chance at good oral and overall health.

Honoring our legacy, shaping what’s next

Juneteenth reminds us that progress is not always linear, and that recognition often comes after persistence.

But it also reminds us of what endures: community, culture, and the determination to move forward, even when the path hasn’t been equal.

To honor Juneteenth is to hold all of that. Remember the history, recognize the ongoing work, and celebrate the resilience and joy that continue to define Black communities today.

Juneteenth is more than a moment in history; it is a living legacy.

Celebrate Juneteenth!

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Work continues to support healthy and thriving Black people and communities.

Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, resilience, positivity, achievement, and aspirations for Black folks.

On June 19, we look back and remember, and we look forward and dream. We remember how far Black folks have come from enslavement. We see the unfinished work to address health disparities—which are largely by race and ethnicity in Washington state—and other forms of inequity in our society. We envision a time when Washingtonians of all backgrounds achieve good oral and overall health with no one left behind.

At Arcora Foundation, our mission is in our name—bending the arc of oral health toward equity. We center our work in oral health and lead with equity to address disparities. And we don’t do this work alone. Atlantic Street Center is one of many community-based organizations we partner with across the state. Their mission is to support families and communities with raising healthy, successful children and youth through direct services and advocacy for social justice and equity. They primarily serve no- and low-income African American families and other families of color in South King County and North Pierce County.

For Juneteenth, Atlantic Street Center Director of Public Relations and Resource Development Teresa Everett explains how we collaborate to achieve our missions and help Washingtonians reach their full health potential.

Teresa Everett
Director of Public Relations and Resource Development
Atlantic Street Center

“I have had the joy to be a part of the King County community for many years, including Atlantic Street Center. It is a privilege and an inspiration to see how both our staff and participants work together to achieve individual success. There are so many obstacles our youth and families face that are no fault of their own. Multiple hurdles exist just due to systemic oppression. Seeing the passion from those we serve to overcome these challenges reminds me of how vital it is to strive forward and make the world a better place now and for future generations. 

“Good oral health is having a healthy daily routine versus regular, unwanted trips to the dentist. It also means having the basic education to keep your mouth healthy, which contributes to overall personal wellness and having a confident smile that matches the inside. Good oral health also means helping youth form healthy habits that will take them into adulthood!

“The efforts at Arcora work in concert with Atlantic Street Center to uplift the low- and very low-income individuals and children and youth we serve.”

Teresa Everett, Director of Public Relations and Resource Development, Atlantic Street Center

“Good oral health is important for the Black/African American community because of the huge disparity that African Americans face in the health care system, plus achieving overall wellness. In addition to health benefits, there are also financial benefits when it comes to preventive oral health. (Health and Economic Benefits of Oral Disease Interventions, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

“We—Atlantic Street Center and Arcora Foundation—are mission-aligned in that we are working to support those in need, especially when it comes to basic needs. Arcora has supported our vital programs and services, as well as our annual fundraising gala. The efforts at Arcora work in concert with Atlantic Street Center to uplift the low- and very low-income individuals and children and youth we serve.”

For the 23rd year, Atlantic Street Center will host a Juneteenth community celebration. It’s June 22, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at Rainier Beach Community Center in Seattle. Learn more about the event on their website.

We can’t do this work without you. Advancing oral health requires public and private partnerships, policy advocacy, and funding. Join us in our mission to bend the arc of oral health toward equity. Learn more and contact us at info@arcorafoundation.org.

Fight for good oral health, equity rooted in family’s legacy

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Arcora Senior Director of Community Partnerships Min Song (rear middle) with her parents and son at Hood Canal.

For Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, an Arcora Foundation staff member reflects on how her parents influenced her work to address oral health disparities.

By Min Song, Arcora Senior Director of Community Partnerships

May is Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We celebrate the heritage and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander people. Min Song, Arcora’s senior director of community partnerships, is working to make a difference through her work at the Foundation to further our mission. She shares why advancing good oral health and equity are important to her.

My parents immigrated to the U.S. as survivors of war after losing nearly everything. My dad’s house was bombed, and he was unconscious and temporarily disabled for days. Both lost their fathers during the Korean War, and both are the eldest of their families—which meant great responsibility to support family back in Korea. Yet, they never used hardship to describe their life. Instead, their message has always been to do your best, be proud of your heritage, give to others, support community, love all.

My parents symbolize yin and yang to me. My dad used to tell me about first coming to the U.S. and working two construction jobs to put himself through college. He described being the smallest in stature yet having to work the longest hours and having the physically hardest jobs. He never once uttered words of discrimination or racism, but even as a young child I felt in my heart something was amiss. He continued to rise to achieve what one could call educational success. My mom, the community organizer and humanitarian, whose picture is in the Wing Luke Museum for her political and community advocacy to advance our Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI)—especially our refugee and immigrant—communities to overcome the disproportionate inequities they face. I have countless memories of attending nonprofit fundraising events and AAPI candidate campaign fundraisers with my parents. At an early age, they instilled in me roots of community mobilizing. 

We, by no means, would have been considered economically wealthy growing up but my parents always instilled in me to share what we have with others. There are so many who don’t have the resources we have: access to food, water, safe and stable shelter, health care, education, economic prosperity, a support network. How will we use our privilege to uplift our community?

With gratitude for the foundation from my parents, my career journey has been rooted in leading programs for positive health and economic outcomes for our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)—especially our refugee and immigrant—communities. For much of my career before I joined Arcora, I oversaw workforce, education, and community services programs. I saw how the lack of access to oral health care for our BIPOC community members limited full participation in the workforce and educational pathways. For me, access to not just oral health care but culturally-appropriate care is a social justice and economic justice issue.

Over half of our Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander community members have had permanent teeth extracted, more than any other racial group. When my dad very unexpectedly passed away last fall, he had few of his permanent teeth left. As I looked through years of family pictures, I noticed he smiled less and less as the years progressed, or he just chose to not be in family pictures at all. I recalled the growing complications he had in coverage and accessing care for his complex oral health needs. I saw the toll on his mental health and joy in life, he had difficulty eating his favorite foods due to constant dental pain and started opting out of family outings which always included food. For both of my parents – their trajectory of lifelong oral health suffered from lack of access to and consistent care when they were young.

I was drawn to Arcora for our mission to bend the arc of oral health toward equity. We know that oral health is essential to overall health. I’ve seen that firsthand. Race and place should not dictate your access to care. I’m here to continue the legacy of my parents: everyone deserves a healthy smile, joy in life, positive health outcomes, and a path toward prosperity. I’m so humbled and privileged to be with the most amazing team to achieve this with community, in community, and for our community.

We can’t do this work without you. Advancing oral health requires public and private partnerships, policy advocacy, and funding. Join us in our mission to bend the arc of oral health toward equity. Learn more and contact us at info@arcorafoundation.org.

Celebrate water fluoridation as a public health achievement

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Safer commutes to work or school. Freedom from worry about smallpox, one of the most devastating diseases ever. Community water fluoridation. Public health has made these and other harm reduction practices possible where we live, learn, work, play, and pray.

The first full week in April is National Public Health Week (NPHW). We celebrate the fundamental role public health has in our lives and the health of our communities.

During NPHW (April 1-7) we can reflect on the progress made through investments in public health and preventive health measures. At Arcora Foundation, community water fluoridation and its profound impact on improving oral–and overall–health is one of those measures. 

National Public Health Week is an annual recognition of the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation’s health.

For nearly 80 years, a good balance of fluoride in public drinking water has improved oral health. Now roughly 73% of the U.S. population benefits from it. Community water fluoridation is one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century because it is a cost-effective, natural, and equitable way to prevent oral disease. Research shows that fluoridation has played an important role in the reduction of tooth decay in children—40%-70%—and of tooth loss in adults—40%-60%. Research estimates community water fluoridation saves billions of dollars nationwide in annual health care costs.

The benefits of a good fluoride balance in our tap water extend beyond cavity prevention. Poor oral health impacts overall health and has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy complications, and other serious or life-threatening conditions.

NPHW should inspire us to support preventive health measures. The expansion of community water fluoridation so every Washington resident can benefit from it is a step in that direction. Currently, 56% of Washingtonians receive fluoridated water from their community water systems. No one should be denied access to this public health achievement based on who they are and where they live. When the benefits of water fluoridation reach more residents, it fosters a healthier, more equitable society for generations to come.

“I’ve practiced dentistry for 48 years in communities in many parts of the country: some fluoridated, some not. When I do a new patient exam, I can instantly tell whether an adult has grown up from an early age in a fluoridated community. Fluoridated water makes a difference and reaches all residents of a community on a public water system. It’s equitable, cost effective, and is the ideal public health measure, not requiring a change in behavior. Over my career, I’ve learned that one cannot have good health without good oral health.”

Kurt L. Ferré, DDS
American Fluoridation Society

NPHW is not just a period of reflection; it’s also a call to action. At the heart of NPHW’s week-long celebration is the hope that everyone will commit to protect and improve the health of our communities. Let’s work together to prevent diseases like oral disease—which is almost entirely preventable—and champion policies that advance oral health for all with no one left behind.

We can’t do this work without you. Advancing oral health requires public and private partnerships, policy advocacy, and funding. Join us in our mission to bend the arc of oral health toward equity. Learn more and contact us at info@arcorafoundation.org.