The Weekly Wednesday Update is our newsletter which we email every Wednesday with oral health, health and policy updates from around the state and nationally.

To view past issues click here.

 

January 8, 2025
Volume 16, Issue 1

 

Join the Advocacy for a Medicaid Dental Rate Increase

Thanks to recent investments from the Kansas Legislature the Kansas Medicaid dental program is improving. It now includes coverage for adults to receive exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, gum disease care, and dentures. Countless partners and individuals have helped advocate to make this coverage possible.

About 30% of Kansas dentists are Medicaid providers. We applaud these providers, but we also know we need more Medicaid providers in order to fulfill the promise of the Medicaid dental coverage. Dental providers cite low reimbursement rates as the number one barrier to becoming Medicaid providers. This year Oral Health Kansas and our partners will advocate with the Legislature for a rate increase to make it more affordable for dental offices across the state to see people with Medicaid coverage.

There is exciting momentum in the Kansas Medicaid program. Raising reimbursement rates to be consistent with commercial rates will attract more private practices to the Medicaid program, extending access to dental care for thousands more Kansans.

Please join us in advocating in the 2025 Legislative Session for a Medicaid dental rate increase. Use this form to learn more and add your organization’s name to the list of groups advocating for a rate increase this year. Contact us at info@oralhealthkansas.org with any questions. Thank you!

 

 

Join the Conference Planning Committee with Oral Health Kansas

The Conference on Oral Health planning committee is looking for new members to help plan the 2025 annual Conference on Oral Health. The committee meets once a month for an hour virtually and through email correspondence. The conference has been set for Friday, November 7 at the University of Kansas Best Conference Center in Overland Park. We would love to have committee members that can help brainstorm future sessions, help with exhibitor recruitment and spread the word about our conference to your networks. If you are interested in joining, fill out the short application form here.

 

 

New KanCare Managed Care Organizations

Beginning January 1, KanCare (Medicaid) managed care organizations are Sunflower Health Plan, United Healthcare Community Plan, and one new organization, Healthy Blue. If you were previously enrolled in Aetna Better Health of Kansas, you were given the option to continue with Healthy Blue or change to United Healthcare or Sunflower Health Plan. During this transition, Aetna will still be available to help answer questions.

Is Healthy Blue the same as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBS)? No, Healthy Blue is not the same as Blue Cross and Blue Shield in all cases, but it is sometimes a collaboration with BCBS. Healthy Blue will be using SkyGen for their Dental benefits.  Consumers will need to call SkyGen to access their Dental service with KanCare.  The phone number for this will be on the back of your Member ID Card.  The number is 844-621-4575.

To find out more information about benefits and services, visit the KanCare website at https://www.kancare.ks.gov/members/benefits-services or view a list of Value Added Benefits here for each company.

 

 

 

Volunteer at the Kansas Mission of Mercy

Next week, the Kansas Mission of Mercy (KMOM) will be in Hutchinson on January 17 and 18. Volunteers are still needed. Oral Health Kansas staff will be conducting exit surveys and we could also use some help! We ask patients to fill out a brief survey using a Kindle and usually takes less than five minutes each. You can help a full day or a few hours. If you’re interested in helping us with exit surveys, email us at info@oralhealthkansas.org and we’ll give you instructions on how to register.

If you are available to help at any of the stations at the KMOM clinic, register at https://www.ksdentalfoundation.org/volunteer-information/ and book your hotel as well while rooms are available.

 

 

Registration for the National Oral Health Conference

The National Oral Health Conference is an event with continuing education and networking opportunities within the discipline of Dental Public Health. The 2025 National Oral Health Conference will be in Orlando on April 7-9, with weekend workshops April 5-6. This year Oral Health Kansas staff Tanya, MaryAnne, and Kathy, as well as Board Chair Tami Allen and former Board member Dr. Nick Rogers will be presenting at the country’s premier dental public health conference.

Conference participants can earn up to 18.75 continuing education hours during the conference (Mon - Wed) and an additional 14 hours with optional weekend workshops on Saturday and Sunday for a total of a possible 32.75 hours. Register here. The early bird registration ends January 31.

 

 

Upcoming Events

• Course: An Introduction to Value-Based Care in Oral Health: Moving from Volume to Value, 1 CE. Click here for the course information.
• Self paced courses: Providing Oral Health Care to Autistic Individuals and Caring for Individuals with Disabilities: Practical Considerations for Dental Providers.
• January 21 - American Heart Association Advocacy Day
• Webinar: Enhancing Oral Health Care Access with Community Health Workers, January 23 at 1pm CST. Register here.
• Feburary 12 - Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Day from 11:00am-4:00pm.
• Webinar: Championing Minimally Invasive Care: Aligning Advocacy to Transform Oral Health, February 12 at 12pm CST. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89931945699?pwd=6trIJ0CQpDtKV4ClBnzKYA3ncgWDSe.1
• Save the date! The Conference on Oral Health will be held Friday, November 7 at the KU Edwards Campus.

If you would like to add your event to this list, email info@oralhealthkansas.org.

 

 

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Abby Richwine recently joined the Oral Health Kansas team as the Education Coordinator. Abby is a Registered Dental Hygienist and graduated from Concorde Career College in 2014 with an Associate in Dental Hygiene. After working clinically for a few years, she decided teaching was her passion and that furthering her education would be necessary. She returned to school and obtained a Bachelor of Science from Minnesota State University-Mankato. Shortly after graduation, she accepted a job teaching clinical hygiene at Concorde Career College. This sparked her interest in reaching out to her community, which led her to find her home at Oral Health Kansas. We are excited to have Abby as part of our team!

 

 

Sugary Drink Display

We have Adult and Children's Sugary Drink Display's available for reservations. These displays are eye catching at exhibits, schools, library, dental offices, clinics and just about anywhere you see them! We only have a limited amount so please sign up soon if you're interested in reserving one. Click here to learn more about sugary drink display reservations!