The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative, Inc.

10/08/2026

TOMORROW: On 10/8, CareQuest Institute is hosting an important, free webinar that will provide an overview of Medicare’s dental benefit, including eligible patient populations, recent policy developments, and the current state of provider participation. Register ⬇ ⬇ ⬇

10/07/2026

COHI is at the Access Health CT Community Conference today to learn about and discuss the changes to HUSKY Health/Dental due to the Federal Government’s HR 1 policy changes, and the significant impact it will have on access to health care, including oral health.

As a community partner, COHI will work with Access Health CT to mitigate the impact so every Connecticut resident can access the affordable oral health care they deserve. 🦷🪥😃

10/06/2026

Last month, COHI kicked off the launch of its Healthy Smiles for Healthy Aging interactive oral health education program for older adults with two successful forums in New Haven County! The forums took place at the West Haven Senior Center - where we were able to reach more than 20 older adults - and the Dixwell Senior Center at the Q House in New Haven - where we were able to reach over 25 older adults.

Both forums had wonderful participation from attendees; participants were engaged, asking questions, and actively learning more about ways to take care of their oral health. It was a prime opportunity to connect with the community and have meaningful conversations around oral health as we age. 💙 🪥

We are grateful to the The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven for making outreach like this possible. Their generosity and support allows COHI to continue bringing oral health education into communities and helping older adults better understand the importance of oral health and its connection to overall health.

Learn more about our Healthy Smiles for Healthy Aging program: https://www.ctoralhealth.org/healthy-aging

10/01/2026

09/30/2026

COHI and its partners were proud to join forces for a free oral health event for Connecticut Veterans on September 26th! Despite an unexpected nor'easter complicating things a bit, Veterans' Oral Health Day was a morning worth coming together for.

Thank you to Dr. Boyce and the University of Bridgeport Fones School of Dental Hygiene team, and all our partners who helped make this event happen; the veterans that attended were so grateful to receive care. We were also glad to welcome Senator Gadkar-Wilcox and Representative McCarthy Vahey.

“I am grateful to the funders and partners who stepped up and came together to provide free, much-needed oral health care to Connecticut’s brave men and women who served our country in the armed forces,” said Gary Turco, COHI's Executive Director. “Most Connecticut veterans are not eligible to receive covered dental care through the federal VA, yet oral health is closely connected to an individual’s overall physical and mental health.”

Thank you to Delta Dental, University of Bridgeport Fones School of Dental Hygiene, Centrix, Community Foundation of Middlesex County, the Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach, the Connecticut State Dental Association, and the Connecticut Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines Fund for the support and partnership that made this possible!

09/22/2026

Join us next Wednesday morning at the LOB for an important discussion about oral health care for older adults! Join COHI, the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity, and State Representative Jane Garibay in an Older Adults Oral Health Roundtable.

Plus, featured Panelists Lisa Perry from the Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach (CTMOM); Molly Cole from the CT State Independent Living Council; Shana Briley from the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services (Aging Disability CT); Alison Dvorak from the Senior Resources Agency on Aging; and others.

Policymakers, advocates, providers, caregivers, and community partners are encouraged to attend. Together we will explore the challenges, opportunities, and policy solutions aimed at improving oral health access, outcomes, and overall well-being for older adults in Connecticut.

Help shape the future of oral health for older adults in . Register now for this free event: tinyurl.com/OlderAdultsRoundtable

09/16/2026

COHI is thrilled to welcome Manuel Felipe Arias to our intern team this month! 🥳

Manuel Arias is a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) from Colombia currently pursuing his Master of Public Health at Xavier University of Louisiana. He is passionate about dentistry and oral surgery and hopes to continue his professional training in a surgical field of dentistry.

During his dental training and professional experience in Colombia, Manuel had the opportunity to provide community-based care, including visiting individuals and families in their homes when barriers prevented them from accessing traditional healthcare services. These experiences strengthened his passion for working directly with people, building one-on-one connections, and understanding the challenges that can affect a person’s ability to access care.

His public health interests include oral health equity, access to dental care, and improving health outcomes in underserved communities. Through his practicum with COHI, Manuel is excited to combine his clinical experience with his public health training and contribute to efforts that make oral healthcare more accessible and equitable. Outside of his professional interests, Manuel also has a strong background in competitive tennis and coaching, a sport that has been an important part of his life for many years.

Please join us in giving Manuel a warm welcome!

09/15/2026

NEXT WEEK! 📢 Calling all HUSKY Dental providers: Join the Connecticut Department of Social Services (CT DSS), the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership (CTDHP) and The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative, Inc. (COHI) for a free event offering HUSKY Dental providers and office staff the latest Medicaid dental updates, practical resources, and opportunities to connect! 🦷

Attendees will have opportunities to learn about new Medicaid dental regulations, policy updates, and implementation timelines; explore CTDHP and COHI programs, resources, and available support; Meet Dr. MacArthur, the new Dental Director for CT DSS; and strengthen relationships with other providers and partners.

This event is only limited to current HUSKY Dental providers plus one staff member from their office. Light refreshments will be provided. Prior registration is required - reserve your spot now for this free event at: https://www.ctoralhealth.org/hdevent

09/01/2026

On behalf of the COHI Board of Directors, staff, and the greater oral health advocacy community, we are deeply saddened to share the passing of our friend and longtime oral health champion, Dr. Donna Balaski.

Dr. Balaski was a dentist, public servant, advocate, colleague, mentor, and change maker whose impact on oral health in Connecticut will be felt for generations. As the former Dental Program Manager for the Connecticut Department of Social Services, she dedicated her career to improving access to oral health care, particularly for people served by Medicaid and underserved communities.

Known for her knowledge, determination, high principles, and legendary tenacity, Dr. Balaski used her voice and expertise to strengthen Medicaid oral health benefits, support providers, advance access to care, and help policymakers better understand the importance of oral health.

This past June, COHI had the extraordinary privilege of honoring Dr. Balaski at our 25th Anniversary Celebration with the 2026 Oral Health Champion Award, alongside Governor Ned Lamont, who joined us in recognizing her remarkable contributions to oral health in Connecticut. That evening, we also announced that the award would forever bear her name as the Dr. Donna Balaski Oral Health Champion Award.

In a letter she recently sent to COHI’s Board and staff, Dr. Balaski shared how deeply the recognition had touched her and described the evening as one of the most memorable of her career and life. Even then, she was looking ahead and offering to continue helping COHI advance oral health policy.

We will miss Dr. Balaski deeply and remain profoundly grateful that we were able to celebrate her while she was with us. Her friendship, courage, fierce advocacy, generosity, compassion, and remarkable service to oral health in Connecticut will be remembered.

Her legacy will continue.

08/31/2026

📺 🦷 🇺🇸 Earlier this month, Policy and Advocacy Director Sandra Ferreira-Molina sat down with Nutmeg TV's Donna Dognin and Jenice Holmes for a segment of "The Veterans Corner." They spoke about COHI's Salute to Smiles program and Sandra shared important information about free oral health services available to Connecticut Veterans, and how they can access them. We are excited to announce that the segment is officially out and available to watch now! Check it out below:

🔗 https://youtu.be/4tf45JGTqUg?si=bjbz1EDsX2TMCvgY

The Veterans Corner, hosted by Donna Dognin and Katrina "Kat" Zickw...