• Watch Your Mouth Massachusetts: The Watch Your Mouth Coalition Is Working In Massachusetts, New Hampshire And Maine To Make Children's Oral Health A Priority. Objectives of the Watch Your Mouth Coalition are to Educate the public that tooth decay is the most common childhood disease that can cause diminished school performance and poor overall health. WYM advocates for wider access to preventive services, such as dental sealants and fluoride, and regular dental exams for all children.
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Newsletter

Vol. 2, issue 2
February 2007

Introduction

This month we are celebrating National Children's Dental Health Month by encouraging everyone to think about ways that we can work together to prevent the most common chronic disease of childhood: dental decay. In this issue, read about the Oral Health Heroes Event and a listing of other activities happening around the state this month to raise awareness on this important health issue. Also, catch an exciting announcement about the annual Health For All Policy & Organizing Conference.

WYM Celebrates Oral Health Heroes of 2007

The Second Annual Oral Health Heroes Event was a tremendous success and a great way to kick off National Children's Dental Health Month. On February 1st, over 100 people, including advocates, oral health professionals, legislators and legislative staff gathered in Nurse's Hall to celebrate the oral health advances made in 2006 and to honor the legislative and community heroes that were instrumental in these changes. Watch Your Mouth recognized legislative leaders: Senate President Travaglini, House Speaker DiMasi, Representative Walrath, Senator Moore, Representative Koutoujian, and Senator Fargo for their leadership in restoring comprehensive dental benefits to over 500,000 adults enrolled in MassHealth. The first ever Community Hero Award went to People Acting in Community Endeavors (PACE) of New Bedford, for their leadership and diligence in bringing community water fluoridation to the City.

Ralph Fuccillo, President of the Oral Health Foundation hosted the event and Dr. Frank Robinson, Executive Director of Partners for a Healthier Community gave the keynote discussing the importance of community partnerships and the Hampden County Oral Disease Prevention Program. Dr. Robinson led the standing-room only crowd in a powerful chant: "oral health is integral to overall health!"

Bruce Morrell and Ginny DeSilva accepted the Community Hero on behalf of PACE. After recognizing that community water fluoridation is the single most important thing we can do to ensure the oral health of our communities, Bruce Morrell discussed some of the thoughts behind PACE's actions. "Third grade students in New Bedford have three times the amount of dental decay as compared to the rest of the state. We knew that more than half of the population in Massachusetts had the benefit of fluoridated water. Our research showed the connection between fluoridated water and reduced dental disease and improved overall health. We asked ourselves and our community, "Why not New Bedford?"

The event generated excitement and momentum around oral health for the coming year. Legislative honorees were all impressed by the audience's energy and passion for the issue. "This past year we made great strides toward improving the oral health of our citizens in the Commonwealth. Restoring comprehensive dental benefits for over 500,000 adults enrolled in MassHealth has been a critically important step forward," said Senate President Travaglini. "In the coming year, we must continue to work together to ensure that all children in our state also have access to the preventive care that they deserve."

WYM MA Website Gets a New Look

The Watch Your Mouth Massachusetts website has gotten a makeover. If you haven't visited our website in recent weeks, now's the time to check it out! In addition to the new look, the site also features links to local and statewide resources. If there is an exciting initiative that we are missing in your community, contact our website and let us know! Now go ahead and visit: http://www.watchyourmouth.org/massachusetts.php

Children's Oral Health Events This Month

The energy and momentum around children's oral health continues throughout the month of February (and into early March). Here are some of the activities we've heard about that are happening in honor of Children's Dental Health Month:

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