Zaida Garcia didn’t always have affordable dental care. Her spare income going to her kids, she put off dental care. Thanks to Medicaid dental, she was free from pain.
Medicaid dental coverage has played a key role in improving lives and health across the state. It has improved nutrition. It’s helped women have healthier pregnancies. It’s prevented poor medical outcomes. It’s enabled people to find better jobs and businesses to grow.
That’s why the CDA and its dental partners launched in early November the Health First: Dental Is Essential social media campaign to share the stories of Coloradans who benefit from Medicaid dental coverage. The stories illustrate how the state’s Medicaid program helps Coloradans recover from years of no dental care and then benefit from economic and social opportunities made possible by their improved oral health. Several adults from across Colorado—including Denver, the Western Slope and Eastern Plains—are being highlighted in this series.
Help Us Get the Word Out
The CDA is sharing a new story each week on Facebook and Twitter and on the CDA website. This campaign will have the greatest impact if we all work together. We hope you’ll follow these stories and share them with your networks. Remember to use the hashtags #COhealth and #COleg when you post and retweet.
Share Your Stories
We know many Colorado dentists have treated patients like those we’re highlighting, and we hope you’ll be encouraged to share those stories, also using the hashtags #COhealth and #COleg.
About the Medicaid Dental Program
Starting April 1, 2014, Colorado adults enrolled in Medicaid gained access to dental coverage. Colorado expanded this benefit because of the importance of dental care and the strong evidence that good oral health is substantially linked to overall physical health. Health experts agree that neglecting oral health leads to serious conditions like strokes, heart and lung disease, pneumonia and diabetes. Good oral health conversely can prevent major health conditions and supports healthy pregnancies.