A WIN FOR COMMUNITY-BASED ORAL HEALTH CARE

On the evening of April 11, our state lawmakers passed House Bill 1678 and authorized the expansion of dental therapy in Washington state. Children’s Alliance has been working with our partners at the Washington Dental Access Campaign on this issue for over a decade and we are delighted to see this year’s bill pass with bipartisan support. 

“The support for dental therapy from legislators this year has been really encouraging,” said Cassidy Christopher, our health policy manager. “It demonstrates an acknowledgement that oral health is an important aspect of overall health. Dental decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in our country – and it is preventable. Increased access to crucial oral health care through dental therapy will have a huge positive impact for Washington’s kids.” 

House Bill 1678 will add dental therapists to the oral health care team at community health centers, expanding dentists' and health clinics' capacity to see more patients, especially those who struggle to afford oral health care.  

“Due to inequities in our health care system, kids of color and families with low incomes have historically lacked access to dental care, which has led to unacceptable disparities in oral health,” said Dr. Stephan Blanford, our executive director. “Expanding the practice of dental therapy is one way to address these disparities. Under this legislation, dental therapists will be able to provide care where it is often unattainable and help every Washington child experience optimal oral health.” 

We would like to thank HB 1678’s prime sponsor, Representative Marcus Riccelli, a strong champion for oral health access who has made the expansion of dental therapy a critical part of addressing the dental provider shortage in our state. Most importantly, we want to thank the hundreds of advocates who spoke up for dental access this legislative session. Every message sent to lawmakers, every supportive sign-in at bill hearings, every testimony and story shared played a part in the passage of this legislation. Our work to increase oral health access for Washington kids is not over, but for now it’s time to celebrate this important step forward!