Making a bigger impact by working together
Made up of organizations from health care, public health, social services, and community groups, Smile Spokane works together to transform the oral health system in our region so everyone can enjoy better oral and overall health and well-being. Using a health equity lens, the work is organized around the following strategies:
Community Care Coordination
Connects people with diabetes, seniors, and pregnant patients to dentists who take Apple Health.
Lead: Spokane Regional Health District and Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington
Oral Health Integration into Primary Care
Promotes whole-person care with the goal of integrating oral health preventative care into 100 percent of primary care medical settings. Arcora Foundation and Spokane Regional Health District provide training, tools, and technical assistance to medical teams.
Lead: The Arcora Foundation
Increasing Access to Dental Services
Focused on addressing transportation barriers to dental care.
Lead: SNAP
School Sealant Programs
Provides children in elementary schools sealants, oral health education, and connects them to a dental home.
Statement in support, from Dr. Lutz, of School Sealant Program.
Lead: Communities in Schools
Care Linkages for Individuals with Behavioral Health Diagnosis
Connects individuals living with mental illness to dentists.
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In 2019, over 400 individuals living with mental illness were connected to dental services.
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To further help this population get the care they need, Smile Spokane hired and trained a care navigator to work with Frontier Behavioral Health outpatient clients.
Community Education
Raises awareness and educates the community about how to help improve oral health.
Lead: DH
