G-1902-14766

This investment supports the Virginia Oral Health Coalition (VaOHC) to stay connected and active in state and national policy and to provide backbone support to the growing network of community advocates involved in the Virginia Oral Health Network. Specifically, VaOHC will activate its network to advocate for a budget amendment to examine the costs to Medicaid of patients turning to the emergency department for oral health care, which they will in turn use to advocate for an expanded benefit in the coming years. They will also support continued growth, leadership development, and communication within the network and grassroots partners. With VaOHC's support, the Virginia's oral health network will work collectively toward the Oral Health 2020 goals of integrating oral health into person-centered care, eradicating dental disease in children, and including an adult dental benefit in the state's publicly funded health coverage. $65,800 will support operations capacity and other resources necessary to implement the project.