Dental Champions - Oral Health Kansas

Dental Champions - Oral Health Kansas Dental Champions is a leadership program developed by Oral Health Kansas.

The program offers participants leadership and personal development training as well as other training focused on planning and organizational skills and up-to-date information about the oral health scene in Kansas and the nation.

Thank you to our friends who have signed up! Sign up and get your seat!(schedule is subject to change)Oral Health Policy...
09/17/2026

Thank you to our friends who have signed up! Sign up and get your seat!

(schedule is subject to change)
Oral Health Policy and Election Update
Speakers: Dr. Stuart Little, PhD, Little Government Relations

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, 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
Speakers: Little Government Relations

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

Regular Attendee Rate: $125 | Walk-in Attendee Rate: $150
Regular Student Rate: $20 | Walk-in Student Rate: $25
Rates include access to all meals, snacks and sessions.

https://wichita.irisregistration.com/Form/26OHKAttendee

(Image Description: Flyer for conference describing what to expect and logistics of conference).

Thank you for our current 2026 Conference on Oral Health sponsors! Your partnership makes a difference bringing oral hea...
09/16/2026

Thank you for our current 2026 Conference on Oral Health sponsors! Your partnership makes a difference bringing oral health awareness to all communities.

If you are interested in sponsoring our November 13 conference, email Sonia at [email protected] for more information!

As Hispanic Heritage Month begins (September 15 - October 15), it's a meaningful time to recognize both the cultural con...
09/15/2026

As Hispanic Heritage Month begins (September 15 - October 15), it's a meaningful time to recognize both the cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities and the real, persistent disparities they face in oral health care access and outcomes.

Hispanic and Latino people represent the largest and fastest-growing non-majority ethnic group in the United States, making up 18.9% of the population, and the data shows they carry a disproportionate share of the nation's oral disease burden.

Studies show, migrant families often face discrimination in healthcare based on their race, socioeconomic status, not speaking English, and insurance status. Language plays a critical role in oral health disparities for Hispanics with limited English proficiency. In households where Spanish was the primary language, research shows that the likelihood of tooth decay was 70% compared to 47% in primarily English-speaking households.

(Image Description: Women holding her cheek in pain)

In Kansas, Community Dental Clinics are clinics specifically designed to make oral health care accessible to people who ...
09/12/2026

In Kansas, Community Dental Clinics are clinics specifically designed to make oral health care accessible to people who might otherwise struggle to get it. The clinics see patients regardless of income, insurance status, or where they live. They offer comprehensive services on a sliding-fee scale. These are costs adjusted based on a patient's income and family size, so someone with limited means pays significantly less than the standard rate. There are several clinics in the state of Kansas and often times they are able to see patients but some locations may have a waiting list due to the number of providers they have.

Community Care Network of Kansas serves as the statewide primary care association connecting these clinics to trainings, advocacy, policy support, and a shared "Find a Clinic" tool that helps patients locate care across the network.
https://communitycareks.org/page/find-a-clinic

To find a Community Dental Clinic, visit our website. https://www.oralhealthkansas.org/CommunityDentalClinics.html

Our new Tips and Tricks Finding a Dentist has some helpful tips and also in Spanish. https://tinyurl.com/bdhv9aze

(Image Description: picture of someone at the dentist, mouth open)

The Shawnee County Oral Health Coalition is searching for their next new members to add to their coalition. For over 10 ...
09/11/2026

The Shawnee County Oral Health Coalition is searching for their next new members to add to their coalition. For over 10 years, the coalition has been going strong and sharing the Brush Book Bed model with families. The coalition is volunteer based. As a volunteer member of the Shawnee County Oral Health Coalition, members work collaboratively with community partners to improve oral health outcomes for families through the Brush Book Bed program. Through community engagement, they help identify oral health needs, support initiatives that increase access to care, and promote the importance of oral health as an essential part of overall health. Members may volunteer to exhibit at community events to share oral health resources. The members are from organizations around the Topeka area such as community dental clinics, early childhood programs, health department, United Way and Kansas Children’s Service League. Through community engagement, they help identify oral health needs, support initiatives that increase access to care, and promote the importance of oral health as an essential part of overall health.

The coalition meets every other month from 12:00pm-1:00pm. The meetings are virtual although members have offered to host at their place of employment. The meetings are run by two Co-Chairs. If you or your organization is interested in joining, email Sonia at [email protected] or if you have any questions.

Our next meeting is coming up on Thursday, September 17 at 12:00pm!

(Image Description: Two women standing behind a table with Shawnee County Oral Health Coalition table banner, dragon stuffed animal and drinks for drink display with sugar jars).

Congratulations to our Pathways to Oral Health Project partner, Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas (SACK) who were recent...
09/10/2026

Congratulations to our Pathways to Oral Health Project partner, Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas (SACK) who were recently awarded the 2026 Grassroots Advocate Award from the Kansas Disability Caucus for their dedication to increasing independence for people with disabilities. SACK is an amazing group of advocates and this recognition for their work is much deserved!

(Image Description: SACK logo)

We’re ecstatic to announce registration for the Conference on Oral Health is open! The conference will be held on Friday...
09/09/2026

We’re ecstatic to announce registration for the Conference on Oral Health is open! The conference will be held on Friday, November 13. This is an all day in person event at the KU Edwards Campus BEST Conference Room in Overland Park.

There will be plenary sessions as well as breakout sessions:
• Oral Health Policy and Election Update
• Enhancing Patient-Centered Care with the My Dental Care Passport & Sensory Modifications Guide
• Resilience, Well-Being, and Success in the Workplace
• Building Your Advocacy Skills
• Shifting the Narrative: Amplifying Voices
• The State of Dental Practice: Costs, Insurance, and Access

How to register: If you do not have an account with the IRIS conference platform, you will need to set up an account. https://tinyurl.com/3f82zs2c

Regular Attendee Rate: $125 | Walk-in Attendee Rate: $150
Regular Student Rate: $20 | Walk-in Student Rate: $25

Rates include access to all meals, snacks and sessions.

If you have any questions, email Sonia at [email protected].

(Image Description: Woman jumping up and down. Conference logo with sunflower and November 13 date)

Health Empowerment Day is a national awareness day observed annually on September 9, to encourage people to take control...
09/08/2026

Health Empowerment Day is a national awareness day observed annually on September 9, to encourage people to take control of their healthcare journey. The day encourages simple but meaningful actions: scheduling that dentist appointment you've been putting off, asking more questions of your provider, and taking ownership of your health decisions.

(Image Description: picture of bugs/germs, a young girl covering her mouth, toothpaste and toothbrush in a cup and a peace sign of a body with a picture of a heart in the body).

September is Fruits and Veggies Month as well as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. This month focuses on raisi...
09/08/2026

September is Fruits and Veggies Month as well as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. This month focuses on raising awareness of the importance of eating more fruits and vegetables and encouraging healthier eating habits for families.
Fruits and vegetables are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that support nearly every part of the body. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables are linked to lower risks of heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, and obesity.
Fruits and vegetables play a direct role in oral health. Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery help naturally clean teeth and stimulate saliva production, which washes away food particles and neutralizes harmful acids. Vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges, strawberries and bell peppers support healthy gums and help prevent gum disease. Fiber-rich produce promotes saliva flow, which is one of the mouth's best natural defenses against cavities. Choosing whole fruits over fruit juices or dried fruit reduces sugar exposure to teeth, since juices and dried fruits tend to be more concentrated in sugar and stick to teeth longer. Also, watering down the juice can help reduce the risk but does not eliminate it. Drink in moderation!

Check out our Tips and Tricks Healthy Eating for a Healthy Mouth. Healthy Snacking for Young Children gives tips for eating healthy, not just for young children. These ideas can be for any age group. Get kids involved in picking out or preparing fruits and veggies to build lifelong healthy habits early.

Healthy Eating: https://tinyurl.com/58v3m54k
Healthy Snacking: https://tinyurl.com/y2dvb4hx

Cook’s Corner is a book full of recipes. Try out these simple, fun, and healthy snack recipes for young children. https://tinyurl.com/2jw3bjfs

Oral health isn't just a personal health issue. It has a real impact on the workforce. Untreated dental pain and infecti...
09/07/2026

Oral health isn't just a personal health issue. It has a real impact on the workforce. Untreated dental pain and infections can lead to missed work, reduced concentration, and lower productivity. Visible oral health issues can affect confidence, especially if you have to work with clients or even during interviews. Chronic oral health problems are linked to broader health conditions (for example, heart disease or diabetes) that can affect long-term employability and health costs. Workers in jobs with lower wages, part time jobs or hourly positions, may not be provided with dental benefits and are far more likely to delay or skip dental visits due to cost.

For workers or any individual who doesn’t have access to dental insurance, they can visit clinics that offer free or reduced services. These are called Community Dental Clinics. It’s very important to maintain your oral health to prevent any issues.

Maintaining your oral health consists of but not limited to:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss every day!
• Drink water to stay hydrated but it also swishes in your mouth to keep your teeth clean.
• Choose healthy food and drink options.
• Visit a dentist if possible.

For other helpful ideas, visit the Consumer Resources webpage.
https://www.oralhealthkansas.org/Consumers.html

Here's the link for Community Dental Clinics: https://www.oralhealthkansas.org/CommunityDentalClinics.html

Address

PO Box 4567
Topeka, KS
66604

Telephone

+17852356069

Website

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