The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative, Inc.

04/06/2026

EXCITING NEWS: Tickets and Sponsorships are now available for COHI's 25th Anniversary Gathering! 🦷✨

We're celebrating 25 years of oral health advocacy in Connecticut, and we want you there. Join us on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, from 5:30–8:00 pm at the Pond House Café in West Hartford for an evening of connection, celebration, and conversation. Space is limited and we've got a lot of exciting things in store - you won't want to miss this! 🎟️ Secure your spot today: https://tinyurl.com/COHI25Gathering

04/03/2026

Thank you to Representatives Jaime Foster and Chris Poulos, as well as Senators Paul Honig and Jeff Gordon for their recent op-ed about dental care access for Connecticut Veterans.

"Dental care is not cosmetic; oral health is closely tied to overall health. Untreated dental disease can lead to infection, chronic pain, difficulty eating, lost work productivity, and costly emergency department visits. Research has also linked poor oral health with serious conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications, and stroke.

For veterans living on fixed incomes or transitioning back to civilian life, untreated dental issues can affect employability, nutrition, and quality of life. Too often, veterans must choose between dental care and other essential needs.

Connecticut has the opportunity to address this gap."

Read more: https://www.courant.com/2026/03/25/lawmakers-connecticut-must-assure-all-veterans-have-all-basic-health-care/

And check out how COHI is helping to connect Veterans to care with our Salute to Smiles program at ctoralhealth.org/salute and in our legislative advocacy this year at ctoralhealth.org/legislative-priorities.

It is about honoring service and ensuring that those who protected our nation are not left without basic health care once they return home.

04/01/2026

Right now, COHI has FIVE active oral health bills in play that would make major breakthroughs in oral health access for people across :

👉 HB 5561: Expanding Adult Medicaid Benefits
👉 HB 5303: Expanding Home-Based Oral Health Care
👉 HB 5399: Inclusive Care through Provider Training
👉 HB 5406: Dental Care for Connecticut Veterans
👉 SB 8: Protecting the Oral Health Workforce

While we should be excited and focused on policy at a time of such opportunity, we're worried about being able to move the work forward -- our largest national funder has suddenly and unexpectedly redirected the dollars that support our advocacy efforts.

As Connecticut's only statewide oral health advocacy organization, we need to be on the frontlines for these changes to happen. We need bridge funding of $175,000 to maintain our momentum and see this critical work through.

Please make a gift today to and help COHI cross the finish line for residents who are counting on us: https://tinyurl.com/COHIDonation

03/31/2026

The COHI team recently had the opportunity to meet with dental hygiene students at Goodwin University—and left feeling truly inspired.

Their enthusiasm for improving oral health and their commitment to strengthening public health programs was evident in every conversation. These future professionals are already thinking beyond the clinic, with a clear passion for advancing policies that expand access to care and improve health outcomes in their communities.

Oral health is a critical part of overall health, and the future of the dental hygiene profession is bright with such dedicated, thoughtful, and driven students entering the field.

Thank you to the students and faculty at Goodwin University for the warm welcome and for your commitment to building a healthier future for all.

03/30/2026

Thank you to all who attended our Legislative Breakfast last week and helped make it a huge success! On March 26th, legislators, providers, community members, and oral health advocates came together to discuss key oral health issues affecting residents and efforts needed to make an impact during this legislative session.

Our discussions highlighted access to care, emerging issues driven by federal funding shifts, and opportunities to strengthen oral health equity across the state. It was a great morning of rallying together in support of improving access to oral health!

03/27/2026

YOU'RE INVITED: Save the date for COHI's 25th Anniversary Gathering this June! 💫

The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative turns 25 this year! Join us for our Annual Gathering as we honor 25 years of advocating for access, quality, and equity in oral health care in Connecticut.

This special anniversary gathering on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 5:30pm at The Pond House Cafe in West Hartford, CT will bring together oral health champions from across the state to reflect on our progress, celebrate our community, and renew our commitment to the work ahead.

Whether you're an oral health professional, student, policymaker, or simply passionate about improving community health, we welcome you to join us. We've got a lot of exciting things in store so stay tuned; this is an event you won't want to miss! Tickets and sponsorships go on sale soon - more info to come! ✨🦷

03/26/2026

COHI strongly supports the proposed legislation to provide free dental care to all Veterans in Connecticut. While this legislation is working through the process, COHI, with the generous support of Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut, is offering Veterans in Connecticut, on a first-come, first-served basis, free oral care to those in need. Find out more: https://www.ctoralhealth.org/salute

It is about honoring service and ensuring that those who protected our nation are not left without basic health care once they return home.

03/23/2026

Even with dental insurance, many people are still hit with large, unexpected bills.

While federal protections limit out-of-pocket costs for most medical care, those same protections often don’t apply to dental insurance. That means patients can still face high costs for basic or necessary care—even when they’re insured.

According to the American Dental Association, 77% of adults had dental insurance in 2021, yet 1 in 4 still reported cost as a barrier to getting care.

👉 So what’s the problem?
Dental coverage often includes:

Annual caps (sometimes as low as $1,000)
Limited coverage for essential procedures
High out-of-pocket costs for patients

Insurance should make care accessible—not create more barriers.

At COHI, we see firsthand how confusing coverage, high costs, and limited benefits keep people from getting the care they need.

We need stronger policies that:
✔ Combined Medical and Dental insurance coverage options
✔ Remove arbitrary caps on essential care
✔ Ensure affordability for patients

Oral health is health—and it’s time our policies reflect that.

🔗 Read more: https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/healthq-dental-care-insurance-large-bills/

Costs keep many Americans, even those with insurance, from getting dental care. Understanding how dental insurance works and leaning into preventive care can help keep dental problems — and bills — manageable.

03/20/2026

🚨 COHI needs your help to ensure Connecticut achieves another major oral health breakthrough. Your urgent support matters now more than ever.

At a time of great opportunity to improve oral health policy in our state, our efforts are in sudden jeopardy: our largest national funder has unexpectedly redirected our support without warning due to federal policy shifts.

Please make a gift today to help COHI cross the finish line for Connecticut residents who are counting on us: https://tinyurl.com/COHIDonation

03/17/2026

🚨 COHI needs your help ensure Connecticut achieves another major oral health breakthrough. Your urgent support matters now more than ever.

For 25 years, COHI has fought for policies that expand access to oral health care. Today, we have active legislation that would expand dental access for older adults, expand coverage for veterans, raise Medicaid reimbursement rates, and so much more. For 25 years, COHI has been building toward this exact moment.

Yet at a time of immense opportunity to improve oral health policy in our state, our efforts are in sudden jeopardy: our largest national funder has unexpectedly redirected our support without warning due to federal policy shifts.

As Connecticut's only statewide oral health advocacy organization, we need to be on the frontlines for these changes to happen. We are seeking bridge funding of $175,000 to maintain our momentum and see this critical work through to completion.

This is not the time to slow down. It is the time to accelerate. Please make a gift today to help COHI cross the finish line for Connecticut residents who are counting on us: https://tinyurl.com/COHIDonation

The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative (COHI) has been Connecticut's only statewide voice for oral health advocacy for 25 years. Without warning, our largest funder has redirected our support, citing federal policy impacts, leaving us with an urgent $175,000 gap.

03/16/2026

🚨 URGENT CALL TO ACTION: COHI has another bill! We need your support for dental care access at tomorrow's public hearing - testimony is due TODAY, 3/16.

The Human Services Committee has scheduled a public hearing for H.B. No. 5561: AN ACT CONCERNING MEDICAID RATE INCREASES FOR CERTAIN PROVIDERS. This bill will be impactful because it secures a real baseline of care. It mandates coverage for periodontal therapy for healthy adults. Currently, if you have HUSKY Insurance, you can’t get periodontal therapy unless you already have a serious underlying condition or comorbidity. We should be treating gum disease before it turns into a medical crisis, not after.

This bill also finally stops treating basic dental care like an "extra." Right now, so many people hit a wall with the $1,000 annual cap. This bill would change the language to ensure that preventative services, like exams and cleanings and medically necessary care like dentures are no longer subject to that cap.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM
WHERE: Room 2A of the Legislative Office Building (LOB) & via Zoom

TAKE ACTION NOW:
🖊️ Sign up to testify in person/on Zoom here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_W4QEldExTXCHtKklW6Xm1g #/registration

📝 Submit your Written Testimony here: https://www.cga.ct.gov/aspx/CGATestimonySub/CGAtestimonysubmission.aspx?comm_code=HS

ℹ️ Read the bill text here:https://www.cga.ct.gov/2026/TOB/H/PDF/2026HB-05561-R00-HB.PDF

Oral health is a fundamental part of overall health, and this bill finally starts treating it that way. Let’s stand together and make sure H.B. 5561 gets the attention it deserves! 💪

💡 Questions? WE CAN HELP! For advocacy support, please contact COHI Policy & Advocacy Director Sandra at SandraF@ctoralhealth.org.

03/10/2026

We're pleased to announce that our 2026 Legislative Breakfast has officially been rescheduled after being postponed due to snow a few weeks ago - and you're invited! 📩

COHI invites legislators, providers, community members, and all other oral health advocates to discuss key oral health issues affecting residents and efforts needed to make an impact during the legislative session on Thursday, March 26th.

This discussion will highlight access to care, emerging issues driven by federal funding shifts, and opportunities to strengthen oral health equity across the state. Oral health providers, advocates, and community members with lived expertise will be in attendance to share on-the-ground perspectives.

We will convene in the private cafeteria for a light breakfast at 9:00 AM in the back of the Legislative Office Building (LOB) at 300 Capitol Avenue in Hartford.

This event is free to attend and your advocacy is needed! 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐒𝐕𝐏 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐎𝐇𝐈 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐚-𝐌𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐟@𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡.𝐨𝐫𝐠 to let us know you'll be there. We look forward to rallying together in support of improving access to oral health!