Our Timeline
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Medicaid expanded in Connecticut's state budget to include coverage for treating periodontal disease for adults with certain chronic health conditions.
2023
Successfully advocated for
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Public Act No. 21-149, allowing 19 to 26-year-olds to remain on their family’s dental insurance plans, helping thousands of young people in Connecticut maintain continuity of care
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Dental Coverage included in the Covered CT program.
2021
2022
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Secured a 25% increase in adult rates for all dental services and an additional increase for endodontic services (the first adult dental rate increase since 2008, effective July 1 2022)
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Second annual cleaning authorized for adults on Medicaid who have certain medical conditions
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Received American Rescue Plan Act funds in the State budget for oral health access and equity initiatives
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Partial Restoration of Medicaid expansion for HUSKY A parents up to 160% of Federal Poverty Level
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Dental Therapy authorized and COHI participated in Dental Therapy Workgroup, per enacted statute.
2019
2020
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Added Licensed Dentists to the list of telehealth providers.
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Cultural competency continuing education for dental hygienists statute enacted.
2017
2018
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Enactment of Oral Health Assessments for school children.
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Expanded definition of public health settings for dental hygienists.
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Restoration of Medicaid expansion eligibility.
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Oral health factors accepted as Core Areas of Emphasis in SIM Advanced Medical Home.
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Oral health objectives accepted as 2016 priorities in Healthy CT 2020.
2015
2016
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Oral Health integrated in the Community & Clinical Integration Plan and Quality Measures in Connecticut’s State Innovative Mode.
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Community Water Fluoridation statue enacted with US HHS recommendation for optimal fluoride level in water.
2013
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Child dental coverage embedded in the Qualified Health Plans of Access Health CT.
2008
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Recruitment of dentists to provide dental services to HUSKY patients, after the settlement of a class action lawsuit (Carr vs. Wilson-Coker)
2005
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Enactment of Oral Health Access Bill
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Establishment of the State Office of Oral Public Health within the Department of Public Health.
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Carr v. Wilson-Coker lawsuit settled to improving access to oral health care for children enrolled in HUSKY.
2003
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COHI certified as a 501(c)(3) organization.
2002
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COHI established and incorporated with funding from the Connecticut Health Foundation to further oral health issues through advocacy efforts.
2001
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COHI was founded in 2000-2001 as an outgrowth of a Connecticut State Dental Association committee.