Welcome to the
Florida Oral
Health Alliance
about
FOHA
The Florida Oral Health Alliance is a community of individuals and organizations committed to improving Florida's dental care system because every person deserves to thrive.
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The Alliance has three ares of work:
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Policy Advocacy – Passing state and local legislation that increases access to dental care for vulnerable populations.
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Community Outreach and Education – Empowering Floridians to successfully navigate the health care system by developing educational tools and campaigns.
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Provider Outreach and Partnerships – To improve the delivery of care to vulnerable populations (ex: Floridians with disabilities), FOHA is partnering with providers and other stakeholders to share best practices.
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The coalition meets bi-monthly to discuss updates and coordinate future activities.
The Florida Dental Access Guide
The Florida Dental Access Guide is an online, interactive resource specifically designed for parents, including those with Medicaid enrolled children. The purpose of the guide is to help Floridians navigate the dental care system by equipping them with oral health resources and knowledge.
FOHA is continuing to establish community partnerships to help promote the toolkit. To become a community partner, receive progress updates, and/or support our promotion efforts, please sign up here. A Florida Voices for Health staff member will be in touch to plug you in!
Oral Health Parent Advisory Committee
The Oral Health Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is an advocacy group comprised of parents, caregivers. and allies from across the state of Florida whose children rely on Medicaid for their dental care.
The committee's goal is to increase access to regular, quality dental care for Floridians with disabilities and special needs.
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If you're a parent or caregiver facing barriers to oral health, you're invited to join the PAC! Sign up below and a Florida Voices for Health staff member will be in touch to introduce you to the group.
FOHA Projects
LEARN MORE
The Latest
New Report Shows Floridians with Disabilities Struggle to Access Oral Health.
After hosting a series of roundtable conversations in 2021, Florida Voices for Health compiled the experiences of Flordians with disabilities, their caregivers, and other stakeholders. Participants described the many barriers they face as they try to access dentists and oral health care. The report shows just how far Florida has to go to make sure every Floridian, especially the vulnerable, has meaningful access to care.
Why Florida Needs an Adult Dental Benefit in Medicaid and What You Can Do About It.
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Florida Medicaid benefits are limited to extremely low-income parents and people with disabilities and does not guarantee preventive oral health services to enrollees. For people 21 years and older Florida Medicaid only covers emergency dental services to alleviate pain. Florida lawmakers have the opportunity to expand the dental benefits that Medicaid covers.
Estimating the Cost of Introducing Comprehensive Medicaid Adult Dental Benefits in Florida
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According to the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, the estimated annual net cost to the state of Florida of introducing comprehensive adult dental benefits in Medicaid is $29.6 million after reaching a “steady state.” The net cost translates to $1.65 per enrollee per month. It is estimated that dental care spending will generate additional economic activity in the amount of $223.2 million after reaching a “steady state” in year three.
Accessing Oral Health in Florida After COVID-19
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2020 Florida Oral Health Report In the late summer/early fall 2020, Florida Voices for Health and the Florida Oral Health Equity and Progress Network (OPEN) hosted five virtual regional round-table discussions with oral health stakeholders across Florida. They shared insights about the overall general state of oral health in Florida, systemic barriers to care, and the strategies they have used to mitigate barriers.
Florida Oral Health Stories
Struggling to Access Dental Care in Florida?
Share Your Story and Recieve a $20 gift card.
Some of the things we hear include:
​How Does It Work?
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Fill out the form below
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Text us at 850.296.2241
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Email us at FLVOICES@healthyfla.org
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Find us on Facebook Messenger (@FLVoices4Health)
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Submit your story using the form below. After you submit your story, a member of our staff may contact you to learn more about your situation and to ensure that Florida Voices for Health understands your story in detail.
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Florida Voices for Health will match participants with opportunities to share their stories publicly. Opportunities may include: requests from the media, policymakers, and advocates; use in our online efforts; and use in our policy briefs.
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We will always ask your permission before we release any contact information or highlight your story, and you can always opt out of any opportunity.
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By submitting your story you agree to our consent and release guidelines.
FOHA Organizational Members
FOHA is made up of individuals and community organizations from around the state who are also fighting to improve access to care for Floridians. Our organizational members are listed below:
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Catalyst Miami
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Children's Services Council of Broward County
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Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County
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DentaQuest
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Florida Healthy Kids Corporation
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Florida Voices for Health
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Jessie Trice Community Health Center
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Liberty Dental Plan
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Miami Dade College of Health Sciences
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The Children's Trust
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The Children's Trust of Miami-Dade
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Floridians for Dental Access
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MCNA Dental Plans