Access to Baby & Child Dentistry (ABCD) Program

Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) program staff helps eligible kids access ABCD-certified dentists by providing case management and technical assistance. If a child has Apple Health (Medicaid), they are eligible to receive the following through ABCD:

  • Fluoride varnish applications

  • Dental examinations

  • Parent education sessions

  • Restorative care as needed

Children who participate in the ABCD program are more likely to have their first dental visit before age two and receive care before oral health problems arise. They also can receive dental care from one of more than 100 ABCD-certified dentists in Spokane County.

The goal of ABCD is to reduce the extent of disparities in dental health for Spokane’s young children by decreasing dental disease rates with early access to preventative dental care. ABCD emphasizes early intervention, prevention, education, and comprehensive care.

The Washington State Health Care Authority and ARCORA Foundation fund the ABCD program at SRHD.

Children under age 6 using Washington state’s Apple Health/Provider One medical coverage are eligible for the ABCD program. For additional information, see the state-wide website.

What’s new?

ABCD expanded! Starting January 2022, the program will include children with a Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) indicator through age 12.

The dentists must be ABCD providers and take additional Phase III training. Phase III includes training on explicit and implicit biases and barriers to accessing care. This training also focuses on providing services for children with communication disorders, patients with specific dietary needs, and sensory sensitivities. Dentists will also be able to give parents and caregivers guidance on facilitating home oral hygiene.

Translation Resources

ABCD Dental Flyers – English, Marshallese, Spanish, and Russian —>> OPEN

Building Oral Health Equity in Spokane


Photo by Arcora Foundation.

Smile Spokane has served as an organizing entity with strategies to improve oral health in Spokane, including investing in focused community education to raise awareness of the importance of oral health and the benefits of community water fluoridation.

In early 2021, with a global pandemic upon us and the disparities in health care were becoming glaringly obvious. With the support of the Arcora Foundation, Smile Spokane and CHAS Health Community Health Workers (CHWs) partnered for an equity project focused on the oral health needs of Spokane’s Marshallese community members.

PICA and Marshallese CHWs from CHAS Health gathered qualitative information from the local community. They determined the efforts and funding should focus on four main gaps experienced by Marshallese families regarding accessing oral health care and education. Smile supported informational and educational materials translations in Marshallese, transportation, and lack of access to internet and tech that supports connections to resources and information. Marshallese CHWs from CHAS Health provided all services.

Since the start of this work in April 2021, we have translated nine oral health-related materials, provided 100 bus passes and over 2000 oral health kits. We are partnering with the Spokane County Library District to have Marshallese CHWs on location at library locations on specific days to provide internet access and digital navigation services.

Last month, Smile Spokane partnered with SmileMobile to provide services to Spokane’s Marshallese community and other communities of color. At the event, dental providers offered dental exams, cleanings, and other treatments outside the Spokane Tribe Casino in Airway Heights. The clinic was able to serve 30 patients.

This month we have started our second equity project providing similar services to Spokane’s Spanish-speaking community members.

Decolonizing Nonprofits: An interactive online workshop by Tara (Qallaq) Ramos.

Decolonizing Nonprofits is returning in November! This time, Tara will be offering two skill levels. Level 1 is for anyone who is interested and wants to know more. Level 2 is for those who already have a deep understanding of what decolonizing means and who are prepared to start integrating decolonizing themes into their work.

Level 1: Tues. Nov. 2nd, 1:30 – 3:00 pm

Level 2: Tues. Nov. 9th, 1:30 – 3:00 pm

BHT Testifies at Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee

Watch the recent Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee work session on health equity work in the public and private sectors. The Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee considers policy issues relating to health care services, long-term care, and developmental disabilities. The Committee also has oversight of the licensing and regulation of health care facilities, professions, pharmacies, and pharmaceutical drugs and deals with the financing of healthcare and public health issues.

Event Speakers:

Public Hearing: Following the speakers, there was a public hearing for SB 5052 – Concerning the creation of health equity zones, the proposed substitute for SB 5052, and SB 5056 – Concerning wilderness therapy programs.