Strategic Focus

To make significant, lasting improvements in oral health in Washington, the WDS Foundation focuses on:

• Advocates for sound oral health public policy
• Supports practices in health services that emphasize early intervention and the prevention of oral disease
• Increases dental coverage and improves access to dental services
• Assists communities in water fluoridation 

We identify progressive practices, advocate for policy change, implement pilot projects, expand or replicate proven models, and employ strategic grant-making to accomplish our mission.

We focus specifically on young children and seniors, two groups particularly vulnerable to oral disease, and feel this is where we can make the greatest difference.

Young Children

Dental decay is the most common chronic childhood disease. Children in low-income families suffer twice as much from cavities as other children and their cavities are more likely to go untreated. Poor oral health is directly related to poor performance in school, poor social relationships and less success in later life. Keeping kids cavity-free helps them learn, develop and thrive, and improves their oral health for a lifetime.

Getting children into care early also saves money. Children who have their first preventive dental visit by age one have lower dental-related costs later in life. Most dental decay can be prevented through a combination of simple measures including early screenings, risk assessment, fluoride varnish, and health education targeted at effective personal care and nutrition.

Protecting young children’s oral health involves parents, early learning providers, dental providers, physicians and nurses, and most of all a community commitment to ensuring access to services that prevent and treat dental disease for all young children.

Seniors

One in five adults over age 65 suffers from untreated tooth decay; one in four has severe gum disease. Consequences can include inadequate nutrition, reduced ability and desire to communicate and socialize, an increased chance of complications from diabetes, and increased risks for heart attack and stroke.

Unfortunately, many factors put older adults at risk for poor oral health including medications and health conditions that cause “dry mouth” – a condition which can quickly lead to cavities. Older adults’ oral health can also be compromised by diminished ability to brush and floss and a lack of dental insurance, including Medicare, which does not cover dental services.

The Foundation is committed to addressing these problems and improving the oral health of seniors. Our seniors’ initiatives aim to ensure that the public and decision makers understand how oral disease can significantly impact senior’s overall health and well being. We are engaging dental and medical providers, pharmacists, and caregivers on this issue and are developing ways for these disciplines to work together, especially for patients with diabetes and heart disease. Our goal is to improve seniors’ overall health and quality of life, as well as demonstrate the potential for reducing healthcare costs associated with hospitalizations and treatment for chronic health conditions when oral disease is prevented.