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.

The Weekly Wednesday Update has been around for many, many years. Each week we have brought you oral health and health u...
08/23/2026

The Weekly Wednesday Update has been around for many, many years. Each week we have brought you oral health and health updates from around Kansas as well as national news. We share what staff is working on and what’s next.

We want to know your opinion. How often should the Weekly Wednesday Update be distributed? Click the link for the poll question.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WB7BGJZ

The Excellence in Oral Health Award nominations will be coming to a close on Friday, August 28. If you have someone in m...
08/22/2026

The Excellence in Oral Health Award nominations will be coming to a close on Friday, August 28. If you have someone in mind that has done exceptional work to improve the oral health of Kansas, nominate them today. We’re looking for individuals or organizations who have done excellent work beyond their day-to-day role. You may know someone who’s unwavering dedication is making a measurable impact in improving oral health outcomes and that person needs to be recognized!

We’ll honor award winners at the luncheon during the annual Conference on Oral Health on Friday, November 13 at the KU Edwards Campus.

•Outstanding Organization Award - An organization that is distinguished from others in excellence in promoting oral health awareness in Kansas.
•Outstanding Dental Hygienist Award - A dental hygienist that is distinguished from others in excellence, who goes beyond the call of duty and is committed to improving the oral health of Kansans.
•Outstanding Dentist Award - A dentist that is distinguished from others in excellence, who goes beyond the call of duty and is committed to improving the oral health of Kansans.
•Outstanding Community Leader Award - A community leader that is distinguished from others in excellence, who goes beyond the call of duty and is committed to improving the oral health of Kansans.
•Bob Bethell Outstanding Policy Maker Award - An outstanding policy maker that is distinguished from others in excellence, who shows support for the oral health of all Kansans.
•Outstanding Oral Health Volunteer Award - An outstanding non-dental volunteer who demonstrates a positive difference in an organization - someone who saw a problem and got involved to find a solution.
•Ron Alexander Outstanding Dental Champion Award - This award is designed to recognize the outstanding work a Dental Champion has done as a direct result of participating in the Dental Champions Leadership Program.

Submit your nominations by Friday, August 28 by 5:00pm. Email [email protected] with any questions about the awards nominations.
https://www.oralhealthkansas.org/AwardWinners.html

We ask that you do not nominate someone who has won an award in the past to allow everyone an opportunity.

(Image Description: award image with the word Excellence)

The Fluoride in Kansas has a fresh new look. Thanks to CareQuest Institute for Oral Health for providing financial suppo...
08/21/2026

The Fluoride in Kansas has a fresh new look. Thanks to CareQuest Institute for Oral Health for providing financial support to make this possible!

The Fluoride in Kansas website informs the public about the benefits of community water fluoridation. We hope you find this is as a helpful resource when you are looking for facts about fluoridation as well as the history of water fluoridation in Kansas. Community water fluoridation is the practice of adjusting the natural fluoride level in a public water supply to a concentration that helps prevent tooth decay. It's essentially a public health measure rather than relying on individuals to get fluoride some other way, the water system itself delivers a low, consistent, safe dose to everyone who drinks it. Almost 1.7 million Kansans receive fluoridated water, but Kansas still ranks second-to-last in our region for the percentage of residents that receive water from fluoridated public water systems.

You can also join the Statewide Water Action Team (SWAT)! SWAT members will help ensure Kansans who benefit from water fluoridation continue to enjoy it without threat. We ask that you help watch out for potential threats and help us keep fluoride in Kansas.
https://tinyurl.com/mbum6mu8

Learn more at the Fluoride in Kansas website.
https://fluoridekansas.org/

Education Manager, Abby Richwine, presented to dental hygiene students at Concorde Career College. She discussed providi...
08/20/2026

Education Manager, Abby Richwine, presented to dental hygiene students at Concorde Career College. She discussed providing care for individuals with disabilities, including practical modifications providers can make to create a more accessible and inclusive dental experience, and introduced students to the My Dental Care Passport as well as an overview of Oral Health Kansas and how the students can become involved in oral health advocacy. The students asked great questions and were intrigued to learn that there are opportunities for dental hygienists in the public health field.

One of the comments from the students said:
“I was impressed with the work OHK has been doing and I’m excited about the impact they’re making in our community”.

Students are also welcome to attend our Conference on Oral Health on Friday, November 13. We offer a student rate. Watch for registration!

Yesterday marked our last day with our Pathways to Oral Health Project facilitator, Cy Rogers. Cy is with Wichita State ...
08/19/2026

Yesterday marked our last day with our Pathways to Oral Health Project facilitator, Cy Rogers. Cy is with Wichita State University’s Community Engagement Institute and has been the groups facilitator from the beginning. We have been extremely appreciative of his guidance and keeping us focused and moving forward. We will miss you! Good luck, Cy!

(Image Description: smiling man, picture courtesy of Wichita State University).

The Behind the Curtain webinar recording is now available! Did you miss it on August 11? No worries, you can watch it no...
08/17/2026

The Behind the Curtain webinar recording is now available! Did you miss it on August 11? No worries, you can watch it now at your leisure. This webinar was so helpful whether you are new to advocacy or have experience, the information was useful for all!

And the audience asked great questions!

Watch the recording here https://youtu.be/R-kWL-uA_5s?si=b9DSpXzcYPUiWN0z.
Please note, you cannot access the webinar by clicking the picture below.

(Image Description: Pathways to Oral Health logo, Behind the Curtain: How Dental Advocacy Creates Change, woman in white blazer, Monica Turner).

Thank you to our 2026 Conference on Oral Health sponsors for your generous support. We believe this year’s conference wh...
08/17/2026

Thank you to our 2026 Conference on Oral Health sponsors for your generous support. We believe this year’s conference which will be held on Friday, November 13, is going to be an inspiring one!

Our current sponsors are:

* Platinum Sponsor – Delta Dental of Kansas
* Silver Sponsor - United Healthcare Community Plan
* Bronze Sponsor – REACH Healthcare Foundation

If you’re interested in sponsoring our event or would like to exhibit, go to our website to learn more! https://www.oralhealthkansas.org/Conference.html

If you have any questions, you can reach us at [email protected].

Happy birthday celebrations are in order for our Executive Director, Brooks Robertson!Just a little over a month and he ...
08/16/2026

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 appoi...
08/16/2026

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 N...
08/15/2026

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!

Address

PO Box 4567
Topeka, KS
66604

Telephone

+17852356069

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