Good oral health is an integral component of healthy development and optimal childhood learning. Children free from dental pain and infection can focus on their schooling. Tooth decay and other dental diseases can not only have long-lasting impacts on a child’s ability to learn, but also to speak and eat. That is why the Making Smiles Happen Surveillance Initiative is a critical assessment in monitoring Kentucky children’s oral health status. Conducting a statewide survey of children’s [...]

By Lacey McNary Thank you to Kentucky Educational Television (KET) for devoting significant air time to covering oral health issues in the Commonwealth this upcoming year. The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is supporting the television station in covering all aspects of oral health – the need and solutions from pre-natal to elderly; from policy to on-the-ground prevention. As oral health advocates and experts share their experiences, public awareness is being raised. As a longtime [...]

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services held a news conference this week to address inaccurate letters people have received about access to state benefits. If you are a provider, consumer, advocate, or know someone receiving one of these services, you can find information from the Cabinet about recent benefit issues here: http://chfs.ky.gov/. Please see below for details from the Cabinet on benefit eligibility: ►If you received Medicaid benefits in March, you will receive Medicaid benefits in April. [...]

With the number of cases of obesity and diabetes rising among both children and adults, it is time to rethink how we can create a positive culture of health. Kids are busy. Families are busy. The work, school, and life balance can be difficult for families. In a fast-paced world, it is easy to default to the easy option. It is easy to choose the fast-food option; it is easy to entertain our kids (or [...]