“If they had a job, they could get real insurance and afford to get their teeth fixed.” 

“People are lazy if they have state insurance. They’re not as educated as others.” 

“Anyone could go to the dentist if they wanted to. They are choosing not to or not prioritizing it.” 

These are common perceptions about patients who struggle to access oral health care — a frequent topic during Wisconsin Medical-Dental Integration (MDI) Advisory Council quarterly meetings. 

Whether it’s supporting coalitions that advocate for Medicaid adult dental benefit expansion or awarding funds to help organizations provide oral health care to patients with developmental differences, the CareQuest Institute Philanthropy team invests strategically to promote healthy communities and improve the

Nearly all Arizonans say oral health is important to them. But not all Arizonans have an easy time accessing care — especially those individuals without dental coverage. Arizona Medicaid adult dental benefits only cover emergencies and are capped at $1,000 with very few exceptions. 

For almost a decade, the Arizona Oral Health Coalition (AZOHC) has been working to change that and expand the Medicaid adult dental benefit in the state. Stories have been at the heart of that work — stories like Janessa’s. 

As a clinical assistant professor and dentist at the University of Florida (UF) College of Dentistry, Bryan Smallwood, DMD, MPH, CPH, has cared for thousands of patients. One in particular stands out to him. 

“I have a patient who had been to the operating room many times because other dentists couldn’t treat him,” Smallwood says. 

“Kira Johnson lost her life to the Black maternal health crisis not because she was unhealthy, uninsured, or unlucky, but because she was unheard,” said U.S. Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, who represents North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District.