Tag: equity

An Integrated Approach to Transform Oral Health

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Because Spokane does not fluoridate its water supply, our region has higher rates of cavities and oral health issues. In 2015, Smile Spokane formed to help address the oral health challenges in our region, bringing together partners from health care, public health, social services, and community-based organizations.

One of these partners is Better Health Together (BHT), an organization dedicated to improving the health of the entire region — and that involves better oral health. “From the beginning, we’ve thought about health as it relates not just to your physical health and your behavioral health, but also your oral health,” says BHT’s executive director Alison Poulsen.

BHT senior program manager, Heather Wallace, serves as the network manager for Smile Spokane. She works with our partner organizations on strategies that serve our community’s most vulnerable populations:

“The days have passed where anyone can solve a problem by themselves,” says Poulsen. “One of the most magical things about Smile Spokane has been the group of partners who have come together. Smile Spokane has given them a mechanism to actually collaborate.”

Poulsen is especially passionate about community water fluoridation, which is the most efficient and cost-effective way to get a good balance of fluoride to everyone in the community regardless of their age, education or income. One of BHT’s core tenets is to combat inequities and address disparities.

“We know care has been influenced by institutional racism: Who gets access to care and the kind of care they get varies based on your zip code,” Poulsen says. “We continue to see a need for some really deep work in how we bring our community together, and make sure that access is appropriate and easy to get to.”

That insight drives BHT and Smile Spokane’s integrated approach, connecting oral health to education, long-term care, behavioral, and physical health. 

“The more we get to an integrated approach,” Poulsen says, “the more chances we have to ensure folks have the services and support they need.”

Using Pronouns

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Hey there! If you’ve recently received an email from us, been in a meeting with one of our staff, or been on our website, you might notice BHT employees introduce and identify themselves with their pronouns. Here’s a little more information on why we use pronouns.

What are personal pronouns?

Pronouns are words that refer to either the people talking (like you or me) or someone or something being talked about (like she, they, and this). Gender pronouns (like he or them) specifically refer to people that you are talking about. (The LGBT Resource Center). You may have previously heard introductions using ‘preferred’ pronouns, however BHT identifies with pronouns, as this is a way we show respect for gender as an identity and not a preference.

Why do we use pronouns?

Gender pronouns are something most of us use every day, and for BHT, they represent the respect we share for one another. Sometimes when others identify us with the wrong pronoun, it can lead to feeling dismissed or invalidated. You often can’t tell someone’s pronoun based on their clothing, mannerisms, hairstyle, or expressions. We want to make sure we are setting the tone with intentionality and allyship in all of our interactions, whether big or small, virtual or in-person.

Why do personal pronouns matter?

Inclusion is a core value for BHT, and we want to lead by example in starting any conversation by acknowledging that we all deserve respect for our identity. We hope anyone who feels vulnerable when working with us knows that we are an ally they can rely on and confide in. We truly believe that is where better health outcomes for all can be achieved. We invite you to participate in this practice of inclusion and introduce yourself to our staff with your pronouns.

Addressing Oral Health Inequities During COVID-19 and Beyond

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Even before COVID-19, millions of people struggled every day to access oral health care, living with pain and unmet need. While we do not yet know the extent to which COVID-19 will exacerbate longstanding inequities in our oral health care system, it is certain that once this acute public health crisis abates, our nation’s oral health crisis will remain.

This brief explores several state policy options to respond to oral health care needs during this crisis and to carry us forward toward a more equitable oral health care system.