$30,000 Aetna donation to fund training program for dental providers treating Kansans with disabilities
TOPEKA, Kan., August 8, 2023 — Aetna Better Health® of Kansas today announced that Aetna® has donated $30,000 to Oral Health Kansas, Inc., to help support its Pathways to Oral Health: Education Initiatives for Accessible Dental Care (Pathways) program aimed at increasing dental care for individuals with disabilities. Oral Health Kansas works with partners to create a culture that values oral health as a part of overall health for Kansans.
University of Kansas Medical Center Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) will partner with Oral Health Kansas on the Pathways program to provide training for dentists, hygienists, case managers and other health care professionals on the unique oral health needs of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The goal of the Project ECHO training is to increase participants’ ability to treat and manage complex health care challenges in their own communities. The donation will help sustain the five-session, continuing-education series offered to participants at no-cost.
“Kansans with a disability were more likely to not receive oral health care in the past 12 months than Kansans without a disability,” said Jane Brown, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Kansas. “Our support of this vital program could help eliminate that barrier to care in every Kansas community.”
Tanya Dorf-Brunner, executive director of Oral Health Kansas, added, “A lack of preventive dental care on a regular basis can lead to more serious oral health problems, higher medical costs and an increased chance of disease. The better we train providers, the better we can care for our communities.”
The donation also will support Oral Health Kansas’ Feeling Good About Your Smile program — an oral health workshop for adults with disabilities and their caregivers. The 60-minute session includes colorful slides, hands-on activities and a free toothbrush and toothpaste. Attendees will have fun while gaining the knowledge and confidence they need to adopt healthy behaviors that improve oral health.
Since 2021, Aetna has donated more than $330,000 to various community-based organizations across the state to positively impact population health and provide those in need with more options to access quality health care.
About Aetna Medicaid
Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC (Aetna Medicaid), a CVS Health company, has more than 30 years of experience managing the care of under-resourced populations, using innovative approaches and a local presence in each market to achieve both successful health care results and effective cost outcomes. Aetna Medicaid has expertise serving high-need Medicaid members, including those who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. Currently, Aetna Medicaid owns and/or administers Medicaid managed health care plans under the names of Aetna Better Health and other affiliate names. Together, these plans serve members in 16 states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. For more information, visit www.aetnabetterhealth.com.
About CVS Health
CVS Health® is the leading health solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach more people and improve the health of communities across America through our local presence, digital channels and over 300,000 dedicated colleagues – including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help them with their health – whether that’s managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system – and their personal health care – by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Follow @CVSHealth on social media.
Media contact
Robert Joyce
Robert.Joyce@CVSHealth.com
