Oral Health Kansas

Happy birthday celebrations are in order for our Executive Director, Brooks Robertson!

Just a little over a month and he has stepped into the work we do and guiding us through future projects!

Happy birthday, Brooks!

While you are out school supply shopping, don’t forget to add to your to-do list “make dental appointment”. Dental appointments fill up fast and it’s best to call soon to get in for your child’s next appointment. If you need help with steps on Finding a Dentist, you can check out our Tips and Tricks handout and you can also go to the Finding a Dentist webpage!
Tips and Tricks: https://tinyurl.com/bdhv9aze
Finding a Dentist: https://www.oralhealthkansas.org/FindingDentist.html

Also, getting their children back into routines for school should be on your to-do list. It’s always useful to start getting back into new schedules the week before school starts. As you know, routines take time!

The Brush Book Bed model is the perfect model to begin bedtime routines. Although the model is meant for younger children, this can be used for any age!

Brush, Book, Bed (BBB), a program of the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends this simple ritual at the end of the day:

1. Each night, help your children to brush their teeth.
2. Read a favorite book (or two)!
3. Get to bed at a regular time each night.

You can read more about the BBB model here.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/Pages/Brush-Book-Bed.aspx

This week, Education Manager, Abby Richwine, had the opportunity to share the Pathways to Oral Health project with the New Mexico Oral Health Coalition. The coalition brings together dental directors from Federally Qualified Health Centers across New Mexico, the New Mexico Primary Care Association, dental and dental hygiene associations, Medicaid representatives, Delta Dental, mobile and school-based dental providers, Touro’s new dental school, the New Mexico Department of Health, and other community partners.

During the presentation, Abby provided an overview of the Pathways project and highlighted some of the resources available to both dental providers and individuals with disabilities. She shared the Providers page, which provides education and practical resources to help dental professionals feel more prepared and confident when caring for individuals with disabilities. She also highlighted the Consumers page and the award winning Confidence in Every Smile video series, which offers accessible oral health education and brushing tips for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers.

Abby also showcased the Resources page and the My Dental Care Passport, a tool designed to help individuals and their caregivers communicate important needs, preferences, and accommodations with their dental team. If you have any questions, you can reach Abby at [email protected]

We got great feedback and enthusiasm from coalition members! They shared how valuable and innovative they found the work being done through the Pathways to Oral Health Project. Abby was invited to present to an upcoming conference in New Mexico!

If you attended Tuesday's webinar, Behind the Curtain: How Dental Advocacy Creates Change, we hope you enjoyed it and took away some useful information. We felt that we had some good questions and discussion. The webinar recording will be up soon! At our 2026 Conference on Oral Health on Friday, November 13, you’ll learn more about advocacy and how you can build your advocacy skills. Watch for conference registration coming up soon!

Mark your calendar for our next FREE webinar on October 13! Until then, you can review last year’s webinar series, New Era: New Opportunities: Making Medicaid Work for You. The sessions are recorded so you can view them at your leisure. The topics are below:
• New Rates, Better Coverage
• Your Practice Your Way
• Get to Know Your MCOs
• Enrollment & Credentialing
• Filing Medicaid Claims
• Do Well by Doing Good
• My Dental Care Passport
• Value Added Benefits

If you have any questions about Tuesday’s webinar or the Medicaid webinar series, reach out to us at [email protected]

https://pathwaystooralhealth.org/resources-list/webinar/

This week, Executive Director, Brooks Robertson, provided testimony to the Bob Bethell Joint Committee on HCBS and KanCare Oversight Committee. He thanked the committee for the Medicaid dental rate increase and shared how last year’s increase has made an impact on dental providers choosing to continue as Medicaid providers or enrolling their practice in Medicaid. A total of 44 new providers have joined Medicaid since the 2025 rate increase went into effect.

Brooks updated the Committee on the plans for the 2026 rate increase to go into effect in October and shared some of feedback providers offered in the rate survey Oral Health Kansas and Kansas Dental Association conducted. Providers indicate rates remain the most pervasive barrier to joining the Medicaid program. You can read his testimony here https://www.oralhealthkansas.org/Testimony.html

The Committee will meet again in early October, and Oral Health Kansas will share our request for a recommendation to finish the job on the rate increase in 2027.

(Image Description: Head shot of a man in a suit)

Is summer really over? For most of us in Kansas, school has started this week! Oral Health Kansas (OHK) staff and OHK intern Laura Gigstad had a busy summer with their families and friends! Read about our summer fun and enjoy our pictures!

Tanya – had a fun time enjoying one of her favorite spots on earth – New York!

Monica – kayaking in Hawaii with her husband was an adventure!

Laura – spent time on Beaver Lake in Arkansas!

Sonia – attended a wedding and the scenic view was amazing (and so relaxing)!

Brooks - plays co-ed sports year-round, but nothing beats the summer kickball season and uses the opportunity to promote the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline with the help of his closest friends.

Abby – every summer you’ll see them on the lake and enjoying time at Silver Dollar City!

Kathy – planted some delicious vegetables! Lots of rain sure helped!

MaryAnne - she enjoyed some wine tasting in Ojai, California!

We hope everyone had a good summer!

Tomorrow! Join us for a FREE webinar Behind the Curtain: How Dental Advocacy Creates Change, hosted by Oral Health Kansas, the Kansas Dental Association and the Pathways to Oral Health team. On Tuesday, August 11 from 12:00pm-1:00pm. Bring your lunch and join us as we explore the many components of effective advocacy, including preparing written and in-person testimony, building relationships with legislators and policymakers, listening to providers and consumers understand their needs and challenges, and navigating changing state and national political landscapes.

Whether you are new to advocacy or looking to strengthen your impact, or if you are just curious about what Oral Health Kansas is doing every day to improve the oral health of Kansans this session will provide practical insights into how partnerships, persistence, and data-informed storytelling contribute to improving Medicaid rates, addressing systems challenges, and expanding access to oral health care for Kansans.

Register and learn how advocacy efforts at the local, state, and national levels can influence policy, strengthen systems, and improve access to oral health care for Kansas Medicaid beneficiaries. Receive 1.0 Free CE! If you have any questions, email us at [email protected].

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/xFudLkV-ReCSAI3Q_xFkQg

(Image Description: Behind the Curtain: How Dental Advocacy Creates Change, August 11, 2026 at 12:00pm-1:00pm. Provides the same words in article. Scan to register with QR code that says Scan Me. Oral Health Kansas and Kansas Dental Association logos).

The theme for National Health Center Week is "Building Innovative Care Where It Matters Most”. This year's theme reflects the creativity, dedication, and heart that Kansas health center staff, providers, board members, and volunteers bring to care every single day. Community Care Network of Kansas (CCNK) is the primary care association representing Kansas's network of Community Health Centers. These are the federally qualified health centers and safety-net clinics that provide healthcare access across the state, especially in underserved and rural communities. CCNK connects clinics and providers with the resources they need to better serve patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They help bridge the gap between clinics and the support services available to them, and they are an essential partner in Oral Health Kansas's Pathways project. We appreciate their partnership and the vital role they play in expanding access to care.

(Image Description: logo for Community Care Network of Kansas)

We’re excited to announce Deesha Bhaumik, PhD, MS, Senior Health Policy Analyst with the American Dental Association (ADA) Health Policy Institute (HPI) will be presenting at our annual Conference on Oral Health on Friday, November 13. Deesha leads both research and advocacy for various ADA Health Policy Institute projects focused on dental policy.

Let’s make Deesha feel welcome as she visits Kansas! We’ll be opening up conference registration later this month. The all-day conference will be held at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park. If you’re interested in sponsoring the event or exhibiting, you can view our sponsorship levels here. Exhibit space is limited. If you are a returning exhibitor, you will receive a 10% discount. If you have any questions about exhibiting or sponsoring, email Sonia at [email protected].

https://www.oralhealthkansas.org/Conference/2026/2026 Conference Sponsorship Invitation.pdf

Stay up to date about our conference on our website: https://www.oralhealthkansas.org/Conference.html

Thank you to our current sponsors: Delta Dental of Kansas, United Healthcare Community Plan and REACH Healthcare Foundation.

(Image Description: picture of a woman smiling. Below the name Deesha Bhaumik Picture courtesy of ADA).

Coming up on Tuesday, August 11. Join us during your lunch break from 12:00pm-1:00pm! One of things we'll be talking about is how does change happen. There's more to it and we'll talk about what it takes.

Earn one free CE as well.

Register here or at the QR code below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/xFudLkV-ReCSAI3Q_xFkQg #/registration

(Image Description: Blue flyer that says Behind the Curtain: How Dental Advocacy Creates Change. August 11 from 12:00pm-1:00pm. With the words: Whether you are new to advocacy or looking to strengthen your impact, or if you are just curious about what Oral Health Kansas is doing every day to improve the oral health of Kansans this session will provide practical insights into how partnerships, persistence, and data-informed storytelling contribute to improving Medicaid rates, addressing systems challenges, and expanding access to oral health care for Kansans. Register today to learn how advocacy efforts can influence policy, strengthen systems, and improve access to oral health care for Kansans. QR code to register. Oral Health Kansas logo and Kansas Dental Association logo).