Vol. 1, Issue 1
Welcome to Brush Up, our new quarterly newsletter for oral health professionals! Keep reading to find the latest updates for Washington state dental providers, free CDE trainings, and opportunities to support your practice in accepting Apple Health (Medicaid).

Know others who may benefit from this newsletter? They can join our mailing list here. If you have ideas on how our communications can better serve you and your team, email us at info@arcorafoundation.org.

You are receiving this email because you previously joined us in our efforts to bend the arc of oral health toward equity or opted in via our website. We thank you for your valued partnership.
Latest News for Washington State Dental Providers
Child smiling in dental chair
State deepens investment in children’s dental program 
Big news! This week, Washington Legislators released a negotiated supplemental operating budget with $21.1M in additional funding for the Apple Health (Medicaid) children’s dental program for FY2023. These funds will be used to increase pediatric fee-for-service provider reimbursement rates, starting on Jan. 1, 2023.

We will have more details in the coming months. To learn more about what this means for your practice, email Heather Gallagher at hgallagher@arcorafoundation.org.
Dentist seeing adult patient
Reimbursement rates have doubled for adult dental services
Reimbursement rates recently increased by 100% for nearly all adult dental services that Apple Health (Medicaid) dental covers for fee-for-service providers. Our DentistLink team has compiled high-level information and resources for dental providers and community-based organizations on this topic.

Child with down syndrome smiling
ABCD expanded to serve children with a DDA indicator through age 12
As of Jan. 2022, the Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) program has expanded to include children with a Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) indicator through age 12. A Phase III training is now available for existing ABCD providers who have completed Phases I and II. This new continuing dental education training certifies providers to receive ABCD enhanced reimbursement when treating children aged 0-12 who have a WA Medicaid DDA designation.

Translator providing services during dental visit
New Health Care Authority spoken language services
In spring 2022, Health Care Authority interpreter services will launch  a new statewide spoken language contract. UniversalLanguage Service has the contract to offer over-the-phone and video remote interpreting services for health care providers and their Apple Health (Medicaid) clients.

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Funding available through Uninsured Care Expansion Grants
The Health Care Authority has received $35 million in federal resources to provide health care services for uninsured and underinsured people under 200% of the federal poverty level, regardless of immigration status. HCA will distribute funding in the form of Uninsured Care Expansion Grants. Apply for funding by April 15, 2022.

Upcoming CDE Trainings
Dentistry in the Pandemic: An Ethical Perspective
March 29, 2022 | 5pm to 6pm PDT | 1 CDE
Lawrence P. Garetto, PhD, FACD; Rod Wentworth, DDS, FACD

Being a health care professional comes with ethical obligations to our patients, our community, and to our profession. Among those is the duty to care. What is our duty to care and how does it relate to the pandemic? How has dentistry lived up to our obligations during the pandemic? What about vaccinations?

In this course, you will learn about what it means to be a professional and about the duty to care both legally and ethically. The goal is to provoke an expanded thinking about the meaning and obligation of duty to care and our professional obligations in the outpatient health care setting of dentistry during the pandemic.

Online Stored Courses
More than 520 dental providers completed Arcora Foundation free CDE training last year to help improve care delivery and increase patient satisfaction. Visit our Oral Health Learning Hub to take free, high-quality online CDE courses on your own schedule. Top courses include:


Arcora Foundation provides free continuing dental education opportunities to support the dental workforce in Washington state. Courses are developed based on feedback from past attendees and our CDE Advisory Group. All courses qualify for CDE credit hours. Arcora Foundation is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.
Opportunities in Apple Health (Medicaid)
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Increase your patient base with DentistLink
DentistLink is a free, easy-to-use tool that connects patients with dental providers to get the dental care they need in their communities. Want to learn more about integrating DentistLink referrals into your practice? Email provider@dentistlink.org and our team members will get back to you.

ABCD logo
Earn enhanced fees by becoming an ABCD provider
Dentists participating in the ABCD program are trained and certified to care for young children. After completing the free certification training, you're able to receive enhanced fees for certain Apple Health (Medicaid) children's dental procedures. ABCD-certified providers receive ongoing support from local program coordinators as well as local dental champions—fellow provider certified by the University of Washington School of Dentistry to deliver training and provide guidance and support. 

Learn about billing Apple Health and earn free CDE
In partnership with the Health Care Authority, Arcora Foundation has developed a self-paced course on Apple Health Dental Billing Basics. By the end of the session, you will:
  • Learn the nuts and bolts of signing up and billing with Apple Health (Medicaid).
  • Have access to valuable resources and contact information for technical assistance.
  • Hear from current Apple Health dental providers about how they make Apple Health work in their practices.
This course is eligible for 1 CDE credit hour.

Enroll as an Apple Health provider
Accepting Apple Health (Medicaid) at your practice is an important way to improve access to dental care and improve overall health in your community. Visit the HCA website to learn if you are eligible and enroll through the ProviderOne application.

Happy National Dentists Day and Dental Assistant Recognition Week!

This week, we celebrate our state's talented dental providers and dental assistants. From all of us at Arcora Foundation, thank you for your commitment to your patients, your practice, and your community. Washington state is a healthier place because of you.
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Our mission: Bending the arc of oral health toward equity.
Our vision: All people enjoy good oral and overall health with no one left behind.

Visit ArcoraFoundation.org to learn more