P ERSPECT IVES 2021
KENTUCKY ORAL HEALTH INNOVATION INITIATIVE
A A D O C R K E N T U C K Y FA L L S Y M P O SI UM
College Works to Address Health Disparities via KOHII All too often oral health is overlooked as an essential component of overall health despite evidence of strong associations with a number of systemic conditions (e.g., cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes, etc.), as well as mental and emotional health conditions like stress, anxiety and depression, leading to profound impacts in quality of life and limiting employability, self-confidence, and social connections. In response, and with the aim of addressing health disparities in the Commonwealth by advancing and uplifting the value of oral health, the Kentucky Oral Health Innovation Initiative (KOHII) was launched in 2020. Based in the College of Dentistry, KOHII is a collaborative effort with the UK Colleges of Public
October 20, 2021, 1-6:30 pm UK Spindletop Hall in Lexington, Kentucky In partnership with the University of Louisville School of Dentistry.
Make plans to attend the First Annual AADOCR Kentucky Fall Symposium, Team Science Makes Better Science. Keynote speaker, Dr. Jacques E. Nör will present Therapeutic Targeting of Head and Neck Cancer Stem Cells. Dr. Nör serves as the President-Elect of the American Association for Dental Research and Donald A Kerr Professor of Dentistry at the University of Michigan. Additionally, attendees will hear of innovative projects happening at both UKCD and University of Louisville School of Dentistry while networking with colleagues, faculty, and students. MORE E V E NT I NF ORMAT I ON A ND ONL I NE RE GI STRATION IS AVA I L A BL E AT DE NT I S T RY. UK Y. E DU/A A DOCRK Y 2021.
Health and Medicine as well as community partners such as the Kentucky Primary Care Association (KPCA). Kentucky is one of the worst U.S. states in terms of oral and
The reasons behind continued poor oral health, access to care,
overall health and underserved and marginalized groups often
and health disparities need to be further investigated to inform
bear a disproportionate burden of oral disease. Around one in
solutions. KOHII has three strategic areas of work aimed at doing
five low-income adults in Kentucky describe their mouth and
just that:
teeth to be in poor condition and a number of counties report the presence of disparities in oral health care access by race and ethnicity. Despite the expansion of Medicaid with dental coverage as well as an increase in sealant and dental public health programs, poor oral health outcomes and reduced access to care persist in Kentucky. Only 50 percent of children and 20 percent of adults enrolled in Medicaid access dental services. Also, recent data show that although fewer children lack dental insurance, untreated tooth decay among children in the Commonwealth increased drastically from 2001 to 2016.
• Research and advocacy for increased integration of oral and overall healthcare systems; • Contributing to information systems and research aimed at better understanding areas of oral health vulnerability and resilience in Kentucky communities, and informing solutions for improved and more equitable oral health; and • Developing educational opportunities for current and future members of the dental public health workforce.
To learn more about KOHII and get involved, visit dentistry.uky.edu/KOHII and join our mailing list for information. Additionally, the KOHII team welcomes the sharing of project ideas, research questions, educational needs, and information about issues and factors impacting oral health in your community—email Courtney Brown at cbrown@uky.edu.
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