The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative, Inc.

10/30/2025

COHI is thrilled to share that the newly revitalized Connecticut Oral Health Advocacy Coalition is now officially part of the American Network of Oral Health Coalitions (ANOHC)! 🎉

By joining ANOHC, we’re amplifying Connecticut’s voice in oral health advocacy—gaining access to national collaboration, shared tools, and learning opportunities that strengthen our efforts to advance equity and oral health access across the state and beyond.

Learn more about the Coalition and how to get involved at: https://www.ctoralhealth.org/news

And check out our current list of Coalition members who are helping us make an impact in :

CT Dental Health Partnership
Dental Hygiene Association
CT Family Support Network
CT Department of Public Health
CT Mission of Mercy (CTMOM)
Yale University
CT Commission on Women, Children & Seniors, Equity and Opportunity
Husky 4 Immigrants
Community Health Center Association of Connecticut (CHC/ACT)
Cross Street AME Church
Nonprofit Accountability Group
Dental professionals
DynoBite
Connecticut Health Council through Metro Hartford Alliance
Cornell Scott - Hill Dental Services
Health Equity Solutions
Hispanic Health Council
CT Association of School Based Health Centers
Dental Hygiene Association
Northeast State Government Affairs Blood Cancer United - Office of Public Policy

10/27/2025

Many people are surprised to learn that dental insurance doesn’t work like medical insurance. As highlighted in The New York Times, dentists explain that it functions more like a “discount plan” than true coverage, leaving both providers and patients frustrated.

That’s why COHI continues to push for dental plan reform through education and legislative advocacy—because everyone deserves access to the care they need.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/well/live/dental-insurance-problems.html?unlocked_article_code=1.oE8.mt6r.dSx7NK45tg4u&smid=url-share

Many people assume coverage for teeth works the same as other insurance. It doesn’t.

10/24/2025

🦷 Making smiles brighter across our communities — from Newington to Windsor! 💙

This week, COHI was proud to take part in two wonderful events through the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s Community Funds! 💙

✨ In Newington, we were officially awarded a grant from the Newington Community Fund to support our work providing oral health education, connecting residents to care, and promoting the importance of good oral health throughout the community.

🎃 In Windsor, we joined the Night of 1001 Pumpkins celebration as part of our ongoing Windsor Community Fund grant. We shared oral health resources, handed out dental supplies (including sugar-free xylitol candy!), and were thrilled to have a special visit from the Tooth Fairy, helping us spread smiles and healthy habits to hundreds of families enjoying Halloween fun.

10/23/2025

TONIGHT at 6pm! Can't wait to see you there! 🎃🦷🧙

Calling all Windsor, CT families: we are bringing FREE oral health resources to you next week for a very special Halloween-themed event, "Night of 1001 Pumpkins!" 🎃 🦷

Visit COHI at the LP Wilson Community Center next Thursday, October 23rd as we bring oral health promotion directly to Windsor area residents and give you the tools and resources needed to maintain and improve oral health at home. The event will include interactive games, light refreshments, and complimentary oral health kits and supplies!

Check out all the details in the flyer below. We hope to see you there 🪥

10/21/2025

October is ! Oral health literacy isn’t just about knowing how to care for your smile; it’s also about understanding your dental coverage so you can advocate for yourself and make informed decisions about your care. 🦷

📘 How well do you know your dental coverage? If you have private dental insurance, your insurance provider likely gave you an explanation of benefits and/or has an informational portal with details about your plan. If you have coverage under HUSKY Health CT, you can visit the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership’s “Your Benefits” page to learn what dental services are covered under the HUSKY Health Dental Plan and Covered CT, and how to find a participating dental provider: ctdhp.org/your-benefits

10/20/2025

Sharing this great opportunity on for the Connecticut Dental Hygienists' Association's Red Shoe Gala on November 8, 2025! This event celebrates dental hygiene leaders and funds dental education, advocacy & community outreach statewide.🦷✨ Details: ctdha.com/shop

👠✨ Save the Date! ✨👠
The CDHA Red Shoe Gala returns on November 8, 2025 at Hotel Marcel in New Haven!
Join us as we celebrate the dental hygiene leaders who elevate our profession and make a lasting impact across Connecticut.

❤️ Attend • 📸 Advertise • 🎉 Honor a Leader • 💻 Support via Memory Program
All details + ad opportunities available at ctdha.com/shop

Your support helps fund education, advocacy & community outreach statewide.
Let’s come together in style!

10/17/2025

In honor of October being , we're grateful to the many dedicated dental hygienists who educate, prevent, and promote healthy habits in their communities every day.

Today we're celebrating Kristin Natali, RDH, MSDH, MPH, a clinical dental hygienist and longtime partner and collaborator of COHI, contributing to many of our projects including statewide surveys on the oral health status of children and older adults, improving oral health outcomes of young children, and community outreach and education. 🦷🪥

Kristin's latest academic research, in which she is the lead author, "The Relationship of Handedness, Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Dental Hygienists," was recently published in the American Dental Hygienists' Association's Journal of Dental Hygiene — a wonderful recognition of her important contributions to the field!

Check out Kristin's Author Insights video below and read here research article here: https://jdh.adha.org/content/99/4/6

Kristin Natali, RDH, MSDH, MPH, clinical dental hygienist, discusses the research and significance behind her August 2025 article in the American Dental Hygi...

10/16/2025

Calling all Windsor, CT families: we are bringing FREE oral health resources to you next week for a very special Halloween-themed event, "Night of 1001 Pumpkins!" 🎃 🦷

Visit COHI at the LP Wilson Community Center next Thursday, October 23rd as we bring oral health promotion directly to Windsor area residents and give you the tools and resources needed to maintain and improve oral health at home. The event will include interactive games, light refreshments, and complimentary oral health kits and supplies!

Check out all the details in the flyer below. We hope to see you there 🪥

10/15/2025

📣 Exciting news! The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative (COHI) announces the revitalization of the Connecticut Oral Health Advocacy Coalition, bringing together a diverse group of organizations committed to improving oral health access for all residents across the state.

The coalition brings together organizations and individuals representing public health, dental care, education and community-based organizations dedicated to advocacy. These organizations will work collaboratively to advance oral health initiatives and amplify community voices across Connecticut.

“Oral health is a fundamental part of overall health, yet too many residents in our state face barriers to care,” said Sandra Ferreira-Molina, COHI Policy and Advocacy Director. “By revitalizing this coalition, we are uniting the expertise and energy of our partners to ensure that every Connecticut resident has the opportunity to achieve optimal oral health.”

The Connecticut Oral Health Advocacy Coalition welcomes additional organizations and stakeholders interested in joining this collaborative effort to strengthen oral health in Connecticut.

For more information about the coalition or to get involved, contact COHI Policy & Advocacy Director Sandra Ferreira-Molina at sandraf@ctoralhealth.org. ✉️

10/14/2025

🇺🇸🦷 Calling all Greater Hartford Veterans: The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative (COHI) is taking new patients for our Salute to Smiles program, providing free dental services to eligible Veterans in need! Through our partnerships with UConn Health and Tunxis Community College's Dental Hygiene Program, Veterans will receive compassionate, expert care from trusted local providers at no cost.

The program is open to Veterans living in the Greater Hartford area, with flexibility as long as participants are willing to travel to Farmington to receive services.

Learn more and register here: www.ctoralhealth.org/salute

Veterans cannot be fully healthy without proper oral health care. Many suffer from poor dental health due to limited access and long-term impacts of military service. Salute to Smiles seeks to honor their service by connecting them with quality oral health education, preventive care, and treatment r...

10/13/2025

October is , a timely reminder that oral health is an essential part of overall health, especially if you're dealing with a cancer diagnosis. 💗

After a breast cancer diagnosis, caring for your mouth is more important than ever: it can help reduce treatment-related side effects, protect long-term oral health, and improve quality of life during and after recovery. 🦷💖

Learn more: https://youngsurvival.org/blog/open-wide-lets-talk-oral-health-breast-cancer