The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative, Inc.

02/05/2026

COHI is hiring! We’re seeking a part-time Community Oral Health Program Manager (Dental Hygienist) to lead outreach, education, screenings, and patient navigation across . This hands-on, community-based role supports multiple grant-funded initiatives and helps improve oral health literacy, reduce barriers to care, and advance equity statewide. CT-licensed hygienists looking to make a meaningful impact are encouraged to apply. Please visit www.ctoralhealth.org/employment-opportunities to view the full job description and application instructions.

02/04/2026

🦷✨ February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

DYK? Children are highly susceptible to cavities (tooth decay) - the most common chronic childhood disease in the U.S. - often leading to severe pain, infection, and school absences. But there's good news - cavities are highly preventable through daily brushing, limiting sugary snacks/drinks, and regular dental visits! 🪥 Help your kiddos form healthy habits by using fun resources like the American Dental Association's Brushing Calendar - available for free download here: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/resources/activity-sheets/brushing-calendar

At COHI, we’re working to ensure every child in Connecticut has access to the dental care they need to grow, learn, and thrive in February and beyond!

02/02/2026

COHI is thrilled to announce the recent appointment of Dr. Frank Amaefuna and Megan Baker to our Board of Directors. Please join us in welcoming Frank and Megan to the team! 🎉

Dr. Frank Amaefuna earned his bachelor’s in Molecular and Cell Biology before pursuing his DMD at UConn and completing an MPH in Health Policy at Yale, where he focused on overdose-prevention work. His commitment to health innovation has included roles at xAI and Tubee, helping advance healthcare-focused AI models and safer infant care products.

Megan Baker earned dual BAs in Political Science and History, along with a minor in English, and later completed her Master’s in Political Science at Southern Connecticut State University. She specializes in civic and electoral impact research, using mixed-methods analysis and public policy expertise to advance legislative initiatives for Asian American Pacific Islanders in Connecticut, with a strong commitment to data equity and inclusion.

We are excited to have Frank and Megan bring their vast knowledge, skills, and experiences to our work toward . Learn more about Frank and Megan here: https://www.ctoralhealth.org/our-board

01/29/2026

Enrollment for medical and dental plans through Access Health CT is open now through January 31st! In addition, starting February 1st, Access Health CT will offer a Special Enrollment period for eligible customers to enroll in coverage that includes a state subsidy. For information, visit https://www.accesshealthct.com/

Access Health CT is here to help you understand how to enroll and what to expect during Health Insurance Annual Open Enrollment.

01/28/2026

01/26/2026

COHI's 2025 Annual Report is here! 📖 From advocacy and coalition-building, to community engagement and programming, COHI spent the past year advancing oral health equity across Connecticut. Inside the report: key wins, impact highlights, and the partnerships that drove and continue to drive progress toward . 🦷

Take a look at what we accomplished together: https://tinyurl.com/2025COHIAnnualReport

01/21/2026

SPEAKER HIGHLIGHT: We are excited to announce that Senator Matt Lesser and Representative Jillian Gilchrest will be Featured Speakers for COHI's first-ever Connecticut Oral Health Summit on January 23rd! Don't miss this exclusive first look at the state's 2026 legislative policy priorities ahead of the session.

Senator Lesser is a Connecticut State Senator representing the 9th District, known for his work on human services, healthcare, and affordability. He serves as the Human Services Committee Co-Chair, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee Vice-Chair, and previously as a Middletown Planning & Zoning Commissioner, with a background in non-profit work and education from Wesleyan University.

Representative Gilchrest is a Connecticut State Representative representing the 18th District in Connecticut’s General Assembly. A licensed social worker, she chairs the Human Services Committee and serves on the Appropriations, Public Health, and Judiciary Committees. Before her election in 2019, she held leadership roles in nonprofit advocacy and served on the West Hartford Board of Education. She is a longtime advocate for health equity, social justice, and community-centered policy.

Attend the Summit to hear from all our speakers and panelists! We'll come together to turn ideas into impact, strengthen our collective voice, and build a future where oral health is a priority for all. This is a free event but donations to support advancing access to oral health in CT are welcomed. Don't wait; spots are filling quickly. Let's kick off the new year with advocacy -- together! Learn more and RSVP now: https://tinyurl.com/2026COHISummit ✍️

01/16/2026

SPEAKER HIGHLIGHT: Tiffany Donelson, from our partners at the Connecticut Health Foundation, is one of our Featured Speakers for COHI's first-ever Connecticut Oral Health Summit on January 23rd! 🦷

Tiffany is the President and CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health), where she leads the organization’s grantmaking, policy, communications, and leadership development efforts to advance health equity. She brings extensive experience in health policy, philanthropy, and health care strategy, with prior leadership roles at Aetna and experience in management consulting. Tiffany serves on multiple boards and state advisory bodies and is a well-recognized leader in CT’s health and public health landscape.

Attend the Summit to hear from all our speakers and panelists! We'll come together to turn ideas into impact, strengthen our collective voice, and build a future where oral health is a priority for all. This is a free event but donations to support advancing access to oral health in CT are welcomed. Don't wait; spots are filling quickly. Let's kick off the new year with advocacy -- together! Learn more and RSVP now: https://tinyurl.com/2026COHISummit ✍️

01/15/2026

🎤 MEET OUR KEYNOTE: We are thrilled to announce Stacey Auger, from our partners at the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, as our Keynote Speaker for COHI's first-ever Connecticut Oral Health Summit on January 23rd!🦷

Stacey is a Policy Consultant at CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, where she focuses on expanding Medicaid adult dental benefits. Since joining in 2013, she has monitored state legislative activity, co-facilitated the Medicaid Adult Dental Benefit Learning Collaborative, and supported key tools assessing Medicaid dental coverage. She also collaborates on research and publications related to tele-dentistry, emergency department use for dental conditions, & expanded dental benefits for pregnant/postpartum individuals.

Attend the Summit to hear from all our speakers and panelists! We'll come together to turn ideas into impact, strengthen our collective voice, and build a future where oral health is a priority for all. This is a free event but donations to support advancing access to oral health in CT are welcomed. Don't wait; spots are filling quickly. Let's kick off the new year with advocacy -- together! Learn more and RSVP now: https://tinyurl.com/2026COHISummit ✍️

01/13/2026

COHI's first-ever Connecticut Oral Health Summit is just 10 days away, and we are pleased to announce that our agenda is LIVE! 🥳

On January 23rd, we'll come together to take a look at how national policy and funding changes are shaping access to care and what those shifts mean for Connecticut. Our state’s legislative champions will share their vision and priorities for the upcoming session and show how each of us can help protect and advance oral health for every resident.🦷

Leading experts will spark fresh conversations about the connection between oral and overall health, the value of prevention, and the policy solutions that can drive lasting change. In interactive breakout sessions, you will collaborate with peers, sharpen your advocacy message, and commit to actions that move the needle, from testifying and meeting with lawmakers to mobilizing your community.

Together, we will turn ideas into impact, strengthen our collective voice, and build a future where oral health is a priority for all. This is a free event but donations to support advancing access to oral health in CT are welcomed. A full buffet breakfast will be provided for attendees at 8:30am. Don't wait; spots are filling quickly. Let's kick off the new year with advocacy -- together! Register now for this event: https://tinyurl.com/2026COHISummit ✍️

01/08/2026

The salute to smiles program offers veterans who cant afford dental services an opportunity to possibly receive free dental work. Check out the Salute to Smiles image below for more information.

01/05/2026

🦷 The dental divide here in is bigger than many realize.

While 11% of households fall below the Federal Poverty Level, an additional 29% are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) — working families who earn too much to qualify for assistance but not enough to afford basic necessities, like dental care. That means 40% of Connecticut households are struggling to make ends meet and not accessing the care they need to thrive.

When routine dental care is delayed or out of reach, the consequences go far beyond oral health, impacting overall health, confidence, employment opportunities, and quality of life.

United for ALICE's new Oral Health ALICE Issue Brief takes a closer look at how financial insecurity drives unequal access to dental care and outcomes across Connecticut and beyond—and why understanding ALICE households is imperative to closing the dental divide. Thank you United For ALICE for shedding a comprehensive light on this critical issue.

🔗 Read the full issue brief to learn more: https://www.unitedforalice.org/dental-divide?stateFP=09

Maintaining oral health is critical to overall physical, mental, social, and economic well-being. Oral health affects a person's ability to eat and to speak clearly; their self-image and how they are perceived by others; and, crucially, their ability to work and participate in community activities.....