Tag: oral health

El servicio gratuito de remisión dental amplía las opciones de atención y aborda las disparidades en salud

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Una nueva asociación ayuda a los residentes de bajo ingreso de Washington a acceder a atención dental esencial y a atención integral.

SEATTLE: Los residentes de Washington de bajo ingreso o sin seguro que necesitan atención dental ahora tienen más opciones. DentistLink, un servicio gratuito de remisión dental en Washington para personas con Apple Health (Medicaid) o que no tienen seguro, se asoció con Project Access Northwest para ofrecer atención dental y de otro tipo a cada vez más personas. Project Access Northwest es una organización sin fines de lucro que conecta a las personas de bajo ingreso con los servicios esenciales de atención médica.

Cuando llame o envíe un mensaje a DentistLink para obtener una remisión, se comunicará con un equipo que tiene amplia experiencia en conectar a las personas con los servicios que necesitan. Además de atención dental, también encontrará un sistema más completo de asistencia, que incluye lo siguiente:

  • Atención médica y de salud conductual.
  • Recursos para acceder a transporte para trasladarse a las citas.
  • Servicios de interpretación telefónica.

DentistLink, una asociación público-privada financiada completamente por Arcora Foundation y la Autoridad del Cuidado de la Salud (Health Care Authority, HCA) del estado de Washington, se asoció con Project Access Northwest para ofrecer una variedad más amplia de opciones de remisión.

“Nuestra emocionante y nueva asociación con Project Access Northwest hace que DentistLink crezca como una herramienta esencial para abordar las necesidades únicas de nuestras poblaciones prioritarias en todo el estado”, dijo Vanetta Abdellatif, presidenta y directora ejecutiva de Arcora. “Project Access Northwest aporta conocimientos y experiencia en comunidades de todo el estado que han sido desatendidas, como las comunidades negras, indígenas y de personas de color, lo que nos permite avanzar hacia nuestro objetivo de acceso equitativo a servicios de salud bucal y general para todas las personas”.

En todo el estado de Washington, las disparidades en salud bucal persisten principalmente por la raza o etnicidad, el idioma hablado en el hogar, la geografía y los ingresos. La disparidad en salud son las diferencias específicas en los resultados de salud y la atención médica entre grupos poblacionales que están arraigadas en las desventajas sociales, económicas y ambientales. En 2023, por ejemplo, el 61 % de las personas adultas de bajo ingreso de Washington (que ganan menos de $50,000 al año) no visitaron a un dentista.

“Durante casi 20 años, Project Access Northwest trabajó para abordar las necesidades no satisfechas de las personas que enfrentan barreras para acceder a la atención”, dijo Gary Renville, presidente y director ejecutivo de Project Access Northwest. “La asociación de Arcora y HCA en DentistLink es una continuación de esa misión de conectar de manera efectiva y empática a más personas con la atención cuando, donde y como la necesitan”.

La demanda de DentistLink sigue en crecimiento. En 2018, el servicio obtuvo 12,000 solicitudes de usuarios. En 2023, ese número aumentó a más de 65,000. Para 2024, DentistLink está en camino de alcanzar más de 76,000 solicitudes de usuarios, con más de 38,000 en los primeros 6 meses del año.

“Agradezco mucho a la persona que me dio su número. Pude concertar una cita con [un proveedor]”, dijo un nuevo usuario de DentistLink. No mencionamos su nombre para proteger su privacidad.

“No lograba nada por mi cuenta. Gracias por su servicio”.

“Project Access Northwest es el socio ideal para posicionar a DentistLink, y satisfacer las necesidades actuales y futuras”, dijo la Directora Dental de HCA, Sarah Vander Beek. “Este equipo experimentado tiene una trayectoria exitosa conectando a los pacientes con la atención y ofreciendo el apoyo personalizado necesario para asegurarse de que asistan a sus citas”.

No hubo ningún cambio en la forma en que se accede a DentistLink. Tiene 3 opciones:

  • Teléfono para llamadas o mensajes de texto: 844-888-5465, de lunes a viernes, de 9 a.m. a 5 p.m.
  • Búsqueda en línea: Busque atención dental cerca de usted en cualquier momento.
  • Formulario en línea: Responda algunas preguntas y lo conectaremos con el servicio.

Acerca de la Fundación Arcora

La Fundación Arcora promueve la salud bucal y la equidad en todo el estado de Washington. Somos la base
de Delta Dental of Washington y la fundación más grande del estado dedicada a esta causa. Lideramos con equidad nuestro trabajo para lograr una buena salud bucal para todos. A través de asociaciones, centramos nuestras
prioridades de prevención y acceso en las comunidades raciales y étnicas, específicamente las comunidades negras, indígenas y de color, donde son significativas las disparidades en las enfermedades bucales y el acceso a la
atención. Nuestra misión está en nuestro nombre: trazar un arco de la salud oral hacia la equidad.

Acerca de la Autoridad de Cuidado de la Salud del Estado de Washington

La Autoridad de Cuidado de la Salud del Estado de Washington (HCA), el mayor comprador de atención médica del estado y su autoridad en salud conductual, es líder en garantizar que los residentes de Washington tengan la oportunidad de tener la mejor salud posible.

Estos son los pilares de nuestro trabajo: Apple Health (Medicaid); los programas de la Junta de Beneficios par Empleados Públicos (Public Employees Benefits Board, PEBB) y de la Junta de Beneficios para Empleados Escolares (School Employees Benefits Board, SEBB); y la salud y rehabilitación conductual. Al trabajar con estos pilares, la HCA compra atención médica, que incluye tratamiento de salud conductual para más de 2700 millones de residentes de Washington, y ofrece prevención en salud conductual, atención de situaciones de crisis y apoyos para la rehabilitación a todos los residentes de Washington.

Acerca de Project Access Northwest

Project Access Northwest, una organización sin fines de lucro 501(c)(3) de renombre, fundada en 2006, conecta a personas vulnerables y sin seguro en el estado de Washington con acceso a una amplia gama de atención médica especializada, que incluye servicios dentales y de salud conductual. A través de una red de casi 2,500 proveedores de atención médica voluntarios y sistemas hospitalarios regionales, la organización facilitó más de 65,000 citas individuales. Con el apoyo de coordinadores de atención, el 97 % de los clientes asisten a sus citas programadas.

El programa innovador de Project Access Northwest mejora el acceso a la atención médica, aborda los factores sociales críticos que afectan la salud a través de servicios integrales, empodera a las personas para alcanzar sus objetivos de salud, contribuye al desarrollo de la fuerza laboral y le hace ahorrar millones de dólares anualmente al sistema de atención médica.

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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.

Free dental referral service expands care options, addresses health disparities

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New partnership helps Washington state residents who are low income access critical oral health and whole person care.

SEATTLE—Washington state residents who are low income or uninsured and need dental care now have more options. DentistLink—a free dental referral service in Washington state for people with Apple Health (Medicaid) or no insurance—has teamed up with Project Access Northwest to provide a growing number of people dental care and more. Project Access Northwest is a nonprofit that connects people who are low income to essential health care services.

When you call or text DentistLink for referrals, you will reach a team with deep experience connecting people to the care they need. In addition to dental care, you’ll now find a more comprehensive system of support including:

  • Medical and behavioral health care.
  • Resources to help access transportation to and from appointments.
  • Telephone interpretation services.

DentistLink—a private-public partnership Arcora Foundation and Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) fully fund—has collaborated with Project Access Northwest to provide expanded referral options.

“Our exciting, new partnership with Project Access Northwest elevates DentistLink as an essential tool to address the unique needs of our priority populations across the state,” said Arcora President and CEO Vanetta Abdellatif. “Project Access Northwest brings knowledge of and experience with communities statewide that have been underinvested in—like Black, Indigenous, and People of Color—which advances our goal of equitable access to oral and overall health services for everyone.”

Across Washington state, oral health disparities persist mostly by race or ethnicity, language spoken at home, geography, and income. Health disparities are specific differences in health outcomes and health care across population groups rooted in social, economic, and environmental disadvantages. In 2023, for example, 61% of Washington adults who are low income—earned less than $50,000 a year—didn’t visit a dentist.

“For nearly 20 years, Project Access Northwest has worked to address the unmet needs of people who face barriers to care,” said Project Access Northwest President and CEO Gary Renville. “The partnership with Arcora and HCA on DentistLink is a continuation of that mission to effectively and compassionately connect more people to care when, where, and how they need it.”

Demand for DentistLink continues to increase. In 2018, the service had 12,000 user requests. In 2023, that number was more than 65,000. For 2024, DentistLink is on pace to reach more than 76,000 user requests with more than 38,000 requests in the first 6 months of the year.

“I am so thankful to the person who gave me your number. I was able to book an appointment with [a provider],” said a recent DentistLink user. We’re not using the person’s name to protect their privacy.

“I was getting nowhere just trying it on my own. Thank you for your service.”

“Project Access Northwest is an ideal partner to position DentistLink to meet current and future needs,” said HCA Dental Director Sarah Vander Beek. “This experienced team has a record of success connecting patients to care and offering the personalized support required to make sure they make it to their appointments.”

Nothing has changed in how you access DentistLink. You have 3 options:

  • Phone—call or text 844-888-5465 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Online search—find dental care near you any time.
  • Online form—answer a few questions, and we’ll connect you to care.

About Arcora Foundation

Arcora Foundation advances oral health and equity across Washington state. We are the foundation of Delta Dental of Washington, and the state’s largest foundation dedicated to this cause. We lead with equity in our work to achieve good oral health for all. Through partnerships, we focus our prevention and access priorities on racial and ethnic communities—specifically Black, Indigenous, and People of Color—where disparities in oral disease and access to care are significant. Our mission is in our name: bending the arc of oral health toward equity.

About Washington State Health Care Authority

There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.

Functioning as both the state’s largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

About Project Access Northwest

Project Access Northwest, a trusted nonprofit 501(c)(3) founded in 2006, connects vulnerable and uninsured individuals in Washington state with access to a wide range of specialty medical care, including dental and behavioral health services. Through a network of nearly 2,500 volunteer health care providers and regional hospital systems, the organization has facilitated over 65,000 individual appointments. With the support of care coordinators, 97% of clients attend their scheduled appointments.

Project Access Northwest’s innovative program improves access to health care, addresses critical social drivers of health through wrap-around services, empowers individuals to achieve their health goals, contributes to workforce development, and saves the health care system millions of dollars annually.

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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.

Partnerships provide policy wins in 2024 legislative session

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Washington state legislature voting on policies to improve oral health equity
Washington State Capitol Building

By Alison Mondi, Arcora Policy Director

The 2024 Legislative Session ended on March 7. We want to share a recap of the important wins for oral health access and prevention from the short 60-day session! With the support of our partners, Arcora Foundation secured 2 priority funding items in the state supplemental operating budget:

We were also proud to join partner-led efforts on additional oral health funding, including:

  • $2.5 million to expand the UW School of Dentistry Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) program, which trains dentists to meet the needs of rural and underserved populations.
  • Capital funding for dental clinics at community health centers: Community Health Center of Snohomish County (Everett), Community Health Association of Spokane (Spokane), Moses Lake Community Health Center (Ephrata), and the Pacific Northwest University School of Dental Medicine partnership with Yakima Neighborhood Health Services.

The Health Equity for Immigrants Campaign has led the charge for authorization and full funding for Apple Health (Medicaid) Expansion. Apple Health Expansion, which will begin July 1, is Medicaid-similar coverage for lower-income immigrant adults who are barred from Medicaid due to immigration status. This is an exciting and much-needed program to address a long-standing inequity in health coverage; however, not enough funding is currently available to cover all newly eligible adults. Legislators increased funding $28.4 million to extend the reach of Apple Health Expansion.

We thank policymakers, oral health providers, community-based organizations, and other partners who made these wins possible.

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.