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.

 

October 28, 2026
Volume 17, Issue 42

 

 

Coming Up Soon: Conference on Oral Health

We’re just a little over two weeks away from the Conference on Oral Health for Friday, November 13 at the KU Edwards Campus. The annual conference brings together leaders, advocates, dental professionals, clinic staff, professors and students to spark meaningful conversations and drive action on improving oral health in Kansas. Participants are from Kansas as well as out of state!

HOTEL: If you will need a hotel the night of November 12, you have until Thursday, October 29 to book a room. We have a hotel block at Courtyard by Marriott Kansas City Olathe 141.00 USD - 149.00 USD per night. Book your room at this link.

Friday, November 13
We'll open doors at 7:30am. Walk around visiting exhibitors and have some breakfast on us! Be seated by 8:30am for welcome statements. Spend the day with us until 4:00pm. And earn up to 7.25 CE’s for the day! Join the plenary sessions and breakout sessions listed below. There's a chance to win a prize!

8:45am Oral Health Policy and Election Update
Speaker: Mallory Lutz, BA, Little Government Relations

This year we'll have THREE Breakout Opportunities:
10:15am (choose one)
Enhancing Patient-Centered Care with the My Dental Care Passport & Sensory Modifications Guide
Speakers: Dr. MaryAnne Lynch Small, MPH, BDS, Oral Health Kansas; Abby Richwine, RDH, BS, Oral Health Kansas; Deb Pochop, Northwest Smile Center; Billie Donohue, CDA, CPC-A, Rogers Family Dentistry; Shelley Howard, RDH, BS DH, MHSA, UMKC School of Dentistry

Resilience, Well-Being, and Success in the Workplace
Speaker: Jody J. Fiorini, PhD, LCPC-S, NCC, ACS, Professor of Counseling Coordinator of the PhD in Education & Behavioral Studies - Clinical Counselor Education & Supervision track, Intervention Services & Leadership in Education (ISLE)

Building Your Advocacy Skills
Speaker: Mallory Lutz, BA, Little Government Relations

11:45am Excellence in Oral Health Awards Luncheon

12:00pm Shifting the Narrative: Amplifying Voices

Keynote Speaker Whit Downing, Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities

1:15pm AI in Dentistry
Speakers: Tatiana Y. Lin, Kansas Health Institute

2:30pm The State of Dental Practice: Costs, Insurance, and Access
Speaker: Deesha Bhaumik, PhD, MS American Dental Association Health Policy Institute

3:45pm Wrap Up

4:00pm Adjourn

Conference attendee registration fees:
Regular Attendee Rate: $125 | Walk-in Attendee Rate: $150
Regular Student Rate: $20 | Walk-in Student Rate: $25

Register here! If you do not have an account with the Iris conference platform, you will need to create an account.

 

 

Spots are Limited!

We’re quickly running out of spots for exhibitors to table at our 2026 Conference on Oral Health on Friday, November 13. Sign up now to reserve your space! This is an opportunity to market your resources and answer questions in person!

As an exhibitor you will receive these benefits:

• Two complimentary spots with access to all conference sessions and meal functions and speakers.
• A 5-foot undraped table in exhibitor hallway with two chairs.
• Complimentary internet access.

Fees:
For profit: $500
Non profit: $350

If you’re a returning exhibitor, you get a 10% discount.

Can’t exhibit but still want to share your organization’s information?

• Include promotional materials and items in packets ($500)
• Include a slide in the looping slide show at breakfast, during breaks, and at lunch ($150)

To find out more information and to sign up, click here.

If you’re interested in sponsoring, we ALSO have sponsorship opportunities. Learn more here!

We are so grateful to our current sponsors.

• The current sponsors are:
• Delta Dental of Kansas - Platinum
• Health Forward Foundation - Silver
• United Healthcare Community Plan - Silver
• Healthy Blue - Bronze
• REACH Healthcare Foundation - Bronze
• Wichita State University Cassat Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic - Bronze

 

 

Updated Oral Health Resources for Pregnant Mothers

Oral Health Kansas has been updating our Tips and Tricks, one page fact sheets with oral health information on various topics. We recently updated our four-part pregnancy series with clear, practical information to help expectant parents protect their oral health. The revised resources are now available on the Oral Health Kansas’ Consumer Resources webpage. They are also available in Spanish.

The resources are listed below:

• Pregnancy & Oral Health
• Dental Care During Pregnancy: What's Safe?
• Morning Sickness: Protect Your Teeth
• Mouth Changes During Pregnancy

If there’s a topic that you do not see on our Consumer Resources list and would like us to create a one pager, let us know! There are so many topics in oral health, it’s not just one! You can email us at info@oralhealthkansas.org.

 

 

Oral Health Kansas Presents at Power Up! Conference

Education Manager, Abby Richwine, presented at InterHab’s Power Up! Conference in Manhattan last week. The presentation was an overview of the My Dental Care Passport, highlighting how consumers and dental teams can use the tool to prepare for successful dental visits. The presentation had interactive discussion about the information caregivers and case managers wish dental teams knew before appointments to help provide more person-centered care. Abby also shared available resources to support individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. One participant expressed appreciation for the presentation, saying it was great and that she looked forward to using the information moving forward.

We have several resources for caregivers to help their loved ones with their oral care on the Pathways to Oral Health website. Our Confidence in Every Smile award winning video series is designed to make brushing and flossing easier for people living with physical or intellectual disabilities. Each video shares practical tips, creative tools, and encouragement so everyone can care for their teeth with confidence. From handling toothbrushes and toothpaste, to managing gagging or flossing with limited mobility, to brushing comfortably when you can’t stand at the sink, these videos help you discover what works best for you.

 

 

Shawnee County Oral Health Coalition Spends an Evening on the Trails

The Shawnee County Oral Health Coalition attended the Pine Ridge Trick or Treat on the Trail where they had an exhibit table with Smile Kits from Delta Dental of Kansas, Sugary Drink Display and oral health resources. They visited with families and answered questions about where to find dental care.

Finding dental care can take a lot of your time. Oral Health Kansas has a Finding a Dentist page with some ideas to try. This may not be a solution for everyone but it could be a good start. Visit our Finding a Dentist page.

If you're interested in learning more about the Shawnee County Oral Health Coalition, email us at info@oralhealthkansas.org.

 

 

Be Prepared to Vote

Next Tuesday, November 3 is election day in Kansas. Polls will be open from 7:00am-7:00pm. There are several steps to get yourself prepared for the day.

• Learn about the candidates that are up for election. You can find a list of candidates here.
• Do you know where your polling place is? Enter your address at this link to find the address. You can also find a sample ballot on this page. Review who and what is on the ballot and do your research.
• You must have a photo ID when casting your vote in person.

The following documents may be used to meet photo ID requirements for voting:

• Driver’s license or ID card issued by Kansas or another state
• U.S. Passport
• U.S. Military ID
• ID card issued by a Native American tribe
• Employee badge or ID issued by a government office
• Student ID card from an accredited postsecondary education institution in Kansas
• Concealed carry license issued by Kansas or another state
• Public assistance ID card issued by a government office

Individuals who are 65 or older may use an expired ID. Individuals whose religious beliefs prohibit being photographed may vote after signing an affidavit.
You can find more information here.

 

 

Upcoming Events

• Self paced courses: Providing Oral Health Care to Autistic Individuals and Caring for Individuals with Disabilities: Practical Considerations for Dental Providers.
• Webinar: Rutgers University offering Perinatal Oral Health ECHO Series webinar. Check out the list of series here.
• Webinar: Doing Good and Doing Well: Expanding Care for Patients with Disabilities and Complex Needs, October 27 at 5:00pm CST. Register here.
• Event: 2026 Conference on Oral Health will be Friday, November 13 at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park. Click here for information.

 

 

---

Congratulations to OHK Board Member, Shane Lewis, for recently joining Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy (KYEA) team as their new Program Assistant! The KYEA mission is to educate, mentor, and support youth with disabilities to be contributing members of their community. Shane is perfect for this role. He is a great advocate for people with disabilities and always encourages people to have their voice heard.

 

 

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!