We are dedicated to seeking optimal oral health for Idahoans by advocating for policies and programs that help our citizens.
Current advocacy efforts focus on access to care across the state and understanding and supporting efforts to increase and enhance the dental workforce. Educating non-dental professionals, especially Community Health Workers, on the importance of oral health and preventive care is another active area for the IOHA.
Between 2024 and 2026, the IOHA supported the continuation of Medicaid Expansion, efforts to maintain coverage for Adult Dental Medicaid, and the idea that all Idaho children should have insurance coverage. The IOHA promoted regional listening sessions for providers/partners/clients regarding changes for Idaho Medicaid and championed the inclusion of dental hygiene as part of Idaho Launch. At the national level, the IOHA hosted an Idaho-specific webinar about the importance of oral health for veterans and signed onto letters addressing EPA updates to the Health Toxicity Assessment of Fluoride, and CMS review of Essential Health Benefits for adults and Improved Medicare Coverage for medically necessary dental care.
In 2022, the IOHA successfully advocated for adding dental representatives to the Idaho Medicaid Care Advisory Committee and the Idaho Voices for Children initiative called Idaho Kids Covered. Between 2020 and 2021, the IOHA led a workgroup of 50 individuals in an effort to write the next Idaho Oral Health Improvement Plan. The 2021-2026 plan was issued in September of 2021.
In 2019 and 2020, the IOHA supported efforts of Close the Gap Idaho which focused on expanding Medicaid; the successful effort to increase dental Medicaid reimbursement levels; the addition of teledentistry to Idaho statute, and the national effort to add dental benefits to Medicare coverage. Early in 2019, we delivered comments on the dental therapy effort by asking legislators seek a more collaborative process before making any decisions.
In 2018, we supported state and national advocacy efforts focused on the CHIP/Children’s Health Insurance Program; Close the Gap Idaho, Healthcare reform, the Children’s Dental Health Project, the Johnson Amendment, and Medicaid benefits issues.