During calendar year 2015, ADvancing States engaged in a collaboration with the DentaQuest Foundation to identify and promote effective oral health interventions for older adults and people with physical disabilities. This initiative involved collaborating with partners from the dental, aging, and disability fields in order to increase knowledge regarding issues and challenges related to dental services for older adults and people with disabilities. The project also included a survey of state agencies and a review of state coverage policies to determine current programs providing oral health services; understand access and utilization; recognize existing collaborations for outreach to beneficiaries; and identify challenges with oral health policy across state agencies. Additionally, ADvancing States engaged in a review of state Medicaid oral health coverage policies that specifically target older adults and people with disabilities to understand the current dental policy and financing framework regarding these populations.
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