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Smile Survey participation supports Spokane County children’s oral health!

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The Smile Survey is a public/private partnership that includes the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, local health jurisdictions (LHJs), dental providers, and funding and planning support from Arcora Foundation. Usually conducted every five years, dental providers perform screenings on children in pre-k, kindergarten, second and third grade in communities across the state. The data provides a point in time look at rates of treated and untreated decay, including rampant decay, and application of dental sealants, as well as trends over the history of the survey. DOH and a number of LHJs collect and analyze the data and publish the results. For example, here are the 2015-16 Washington State Smile Survey and the 2015-16 King County Smile Survey results. The Smile Survey started during the 2022/23 school year and will conclude in the 2023/2024 school year. This handson data collection activity will provide much-needed insight into the current oral health status of Washington children, including the impacts of the pandemic and access to dental care. If your school is selected to participate in this important survey, the DOH Oral Health Program and Arcora Foundation appreciate your approval and your support.

The 2023 Smile Survey is making significant progress across the state. So far, thanks to the partnership of school districts, the survey has reached 55% of schools randomly selected for the sample. In Spokane County, the Smile Spokane Collaborative is seeking connections to selected schools to support participation in the Smile Survey.

Spokane Collaborative Meeting Materials – June 2023

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Collaborative Slides

Learning Session Materials

Partner Shares Materials

  • Participant list! Interested in connecting to someone who was at the June collaborative? Check out the participant contact list.
    2023 Attendee Contacts List

  • Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) is establishing an equity working group. If you are interested in transportation equity or know someone who may be interested in helping spread the word or participating themselves, please reach out to Michael Redlinger at mredlinger@srtc.org.

Dr. Jim Mohr (He/him) presents to a group of collaborative members. A slide is projected behind him showing the cycles of Liberation Framework.

Collaborative members talk and network over lunch.

From the HCA: Be aware of Medicaid renewal scams

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During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) the Health Care Authority (HCA) extended coverage for all Apple Health (Medicaid) clients. This extension has now ended due to the Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2023, and the HCA resumed normal operations on April 1, 2023.

Reports of fake texts and phone calls to Medicaid clients have been reported over the past couple of weeks in other states. We’re asking Apple Health (Medicaid) clients to be aware of suspicious contact seeking money to maintain their health coverage.

The HCA will never ask for money to enroll or re-enroll in Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage.

Clients should not share banking or credit card information with anyone claiming to be from HCA or Apple Health. If they receive a phone call or text message they think is a scam, they should hang up and report this to Apple Health customer service at 1-800-562-3022.



Read the Full Statement from the HCA

Join BHT’s Board of Directors

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Better Health Together is opening up recruitment for up to three open seats on our Board of Directors. This is an amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of making tangible changes to our health system.

BHT will always strive for ethnic, gender, political and age diversity to ensure diverse perspectives are represented on the Board. For this round of Board recruitment, we are seeking nominations from individuals with the following characteristics:

  • Leaders of color

  • Women

  • People with trauma-informed experience/expertise

  • Connection to EHF Board

  • Public health sector

  • SDOH sector

  • Food security

  • Rural

  • Community voice ($250 per month stipend to supplement time for participation.)

More information and instructions can be found in our recruitment package below. Applications are due September 9th at 12:00 pm.



Board Recruitment Packet

CVC Open House – July 9th

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Are you interested in joining the CVC? We are currently looking for new members to spend 4-8 hours a month on engaging within the community and attending our monthly meetings. Selected members will receive a $75 stipend for attending our monthly meeting.

We will be holding an open house at the Downtown Spokane Library on July 9th from 12pm – 1pm for anyone interested in joining.

You are a good fit for our council if:

  • You are currently on Medicaid (Apple Health)

  • You want to be an active part of making your community healthier

  • You have first-hand experience accessing health care or social services, and are comfortable sharing those experiences with others

  • You like to talk to people in your community about what issues are affecting them

  • You like to come up with ideas for solutions that help your community and neighbors

Member expectations include:

  • Attend monthly Community Voices Council Meeting (in person in Spokane or via phone/computer). Currently, meetings are scheduled for the last Tuesday of every month from 11:30am-1pm with lunch included, however we are open to moving this date if it proves inconvenient for new members.  

  • Engage with community groups regularly, and bring back information and questions to the monthly council meetings

  • Attend other BHT and Community Meetings on occasion

  • Attend and complete required trainings after hire, such as Leadership Training and Community Health Worker training (paid for by BHT)

To Apply:

You can apply online through the link here: Community Voices Council Looking for New Members

Are you interested in joining the CVC? We are currently looking for new members to spend 4-8 hours a month on engaging within the community and attending our monthly meetings. Selected members will receive a $75 stipend for attending our monthly meeting.

Fill out the attached application and return to Better Health Together by one of the following means:

  • In Person: Leave with Alethea at the front desk of the Philanthropy Center; 1020 W Riverside Ave Spokane WA 99210

  • By E-mail: send to hadley@betterhealthtogether.org