The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative, Inc.

10/31/2026

From all of us at COHI, we hope you have a fang-tastic Halloween; just don't forget to take care of those fangs after indulging in holiday treats. 🧛‍♂️ It may be the last night of October, but it's still also after all! 🦷🍭

Halloween is full of spooky fun and treats. As you enjoy your favorite goodies this season, remember to keep your smile in mind. Don't forget to:

🪥 Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste;
🪥 Floss daily to keep your teeth clean;
🪥 Enjoy sweets in moderation and rinse after consuming sugar to help prevent cavities, and
🪥 Drink plenty of water!

Wishing everyone celebrating across Connecticut a safe, happy, and fun Halloween! 🎃👻🍬🍭

10/30/2026

COHI is thrilled to welcome Bruce Scheidemandel to our team as our newest Fall 2026 intern! 🥳

Bruce is a dentist and public health professional whose interdisciplinary career spans clinical practice, research, consulting, and organizational development. Originally from Brazil, he is currently pursuing his Master of Public Health at the University of Connecticut (UConn). He earned a full scholarship to attend the Catholic University of Pelotas School of Dentistry, graduating in 2021 with a thesis on innovative approaches to teaching anesthesiology. During his studies, he also completed a fellowship in maternal and infant oral healthcare at St. Francis University Hospital, working in community, primary care, and hospital settings.

Bruce has also been involved in teaching and community health initiatives; he founded two organizations, including a multiprofessional institution that provided care to more than 2,000 people annually, primarily women and children from underserved communities. His work reflects the longstanding mission of connecting clinical practice, public health research, and organizational development to strengthen healthcare systems and expand access to care.

Please join us in giving Bruce a warm welcome! 👋

10/23/2026

📢 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) on November 17th in New Haven 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

10/21/2026

🦷 The Power of Your Voice: Celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month!

This October, we're celebrating the dental hygienists who do so much more than clean teeth. As preventive care professionals and trusted educators, dental hygienists play an essential role in helping people protect their oral health and make informed decisions about their care.

Every Connecticut resident deserves access to quality, affordable oral health care. We are grateful to work with so many incredible dental professionals that contribute to COHI's mission. This Dental Hygiene Month, we're celebrating those who help make care access possible and are continuing to advocate for a future that truly includes .

Join us in recognizing the dental hygienists making a difference across Connecticut!

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