A limited dental benefit was added for adults 21 and older to cover annual dental exams and cleanings, dentures, extractions, and other services. Members could receive up to $1,500 annually toward the cost of needed dental services.
CDPHE integrates dental hygienists in rural agencies
CDPHE implemented a model for placing dental hygienists within in rural public health agencies. These regional oral health specialists train health care professionals in Cavity Free at Three, administer school sealant programs, promote community water fluoridation, and provide care coordination and public oral health education.
Office of Early Childhood created
The Office of Early Childhood was established within the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). The new office consolidated programs and funding streams from CDPHE, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, the Department of Education, and the office of the Lieutenant Governor. Learn More
Gov. Hickenlooper prioritizes oral health
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper identified oral health as one of the state’s 10 winnable battles in the next five years.
Smart Mouths Smart Kids toolkit created
Oral Health Colorado developed the Smart Mouths Smart Kids toolkit to help those planning for preventive care in school settings promote equity, assess feasibility, and build sustainable oral health programs.
CoPCOH established
Colorado Partnership for Children’s Oral Health (CoPCOH) was created to broaden dental services for hard-to-reach families. This work included educating families about the importance of early preventive care and improving access for low-income families and pregnant people. CoPCOH was also committed to increasing the number of Medicaid dental providers in…
ECLC established
The Early Childhood Leadership Commission (ECLC) is created by executive order and legislation and charged to advance a comprehensive and coordinated early childhood system. Learn More
Medicaid expands oral health reimbursements
Colorado Medicaid began reimbursing primary care providers for oral health assessments and application of fluoride varnish during well-child visits for children under age four. To be eligible, those providers must have received training in Cavity Free at Three or Smiles for Life curricula.
Early Childhood Colorado Framework introduced
The Early Childhood Colorado Framework was published by the Office of the Colorado Lieutenant Governor and includes oral health in patient and parent education. It also encourages collaboration among all providers who serve children. Learn More
Colorado Trust sets up Early Childhood Health Integration initiative
The Early Childhood Health Integration initiative was funded by the Colorado Trust to offer multi-year support to Colorado’s network of Early Childhood Councils.
