The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative, Inc.

09/01/2026

On behalf of the COHI Board of Directors, staff, and the greater oral health advocacy community, we are deeply saddened to share the passing of our friend and longtime oral health champion, Dr. Donna Balaski.

Dr. Balaski was a dentist, public servant, advocate, colleague, mentor, and change maker whose impact on oral health in Connecticut will be felt for generations. As the former Dental Program Manager for the Connecticut Department of Social Services, she dedicated her career to improving access to oral health care, particularly for people served by Medicaid and underserved communities.

Known for her knowledge, determination, high principles, and legendary tenacity, Dr. Balaski used her voice and expertise to strengthen Medicaid oral health benefits, support providers, advance access to care, and help policymakers better understand the importance of oral health.

This past June, COHI had the extraordinary privilege of honoring Dr. Balaski at our 25th Anniversary Celebration with the 2026 Oral Health Champion Award, alongside Governor Ned Lamont, who joined us in recognizing her remarkable contributions to oral health in Connecticut. That evening, we also announced that the award would forever bear her name as the Dr. Donna Balaski Oral Health Champion Award.

In a letter she recently sent to COHI’s Board and staff, Dr. Balaski shared how deeply the recognition had touched her and described the evening as one of the most memorable of her career and life. Even then, she was looking ahead and offering to continue helping COHI advance oral health policy.

We will miss Dr. Balaski deeply and remain profoundly grateful that we were able to celebrate her while she was with us. Her friendship, courage, fierce advocacy, generosity, compassion, and remarkable service to oral health in Connecticut will be remembered.

Her legacy will continue.

08/31/2026

📺 🦷 🇺🇸 Earlier this month, Policy and Advocacy Director Sandra Ferreira-Molina sat down with Nutmeg TV's Donna Dognin and Jenice Holmes for a segment of "The Veterans Corner." They spoke about COHI's Salute to Smiles program and Sandra shared important information about free oral health services available to Connecticut Veterans, and how they can access them. We are excited to announce that the segment is officially out and available to watch now! Check it out below:

🔗 https://youtu.be/4tf45JGTqUg?si=bjbz1EDsX2TMCvgY

The Veterans Corner, hosted by Donna Dognin and Katrina "Kat" Zickw...

08/28/2026

👀 tune in to see us on The Veterans Corner soon!! Details ⬇️

E337 - Salute to Smiles - The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative, Inc.
YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/4tf45JGTqUg (Available Sunday, August 30th at 8:00 PM)

Upcoming Airtimes:

Sunday, Aug. 30th at 8:30 PM
Monday, Aug. 31st at 2:00 AM
Monday, Aug. 31st at 2:00 PM
Wednesday, Sept. 2nd at 6:00 AM
Wednesday, Sept. 2nd at 6:00 PM
Sunday, Sept. 6th at 8:30 AM

General Airtimes
Sundays at 8:30 AM and 8:30 PM
Mondays at 2:00 AM and 2:00 PM
Wednesdays at 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM

All above airtimes are for Ch’s 5 and 1070 on Xfinity and Ch 6060 on Frontier.

You can also stream the Nutmeg TV Public Access channel LIVE on iPhone, Android, Roku, Fire TV and Apple TV.

https://nutmegtv.com/live/

08/27/2026

📢 Calling all HUSKY Dental providers: Join the Connecticut Department of Social Services (CT DSS), the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership (CTDHP) and The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative, Inc. (COHI) for a free event offering HUSKY Dental providers and office staff the latest Medicaid dental updates, practical resources, and opportunities to connect! 🦷

Attendees will have opportunities to learn about new Medicaid dental regulations, policy updates, and implementation timelines; explore CTDHP and COHI programs, resources, and available support; Meet Dr. MacArthur, the new Dental Director for CT DSS; and strengthen relationships with other providers and partners.

This event is limited to two providers/staff per HUSKY Dental practice (each individual must register separately). Light refreshments will be provided. Prior registration is required - reserve your spot now for this free event at: https://www.ctoralhealth.org/hdevent

08/24/2026

Thank you and congratulations to Dr. Sakshi Sharma, BDS, MHA, MPH! 👏

Through the Connecticut Department of Public Health’s Mentorship Program, COHI had the opportunity to work with Sakshi, a Master of Public Health student at the University of New Haven.

During her internship, Sakshi researched “Unlocking Dental Benefits with Medicare in Connecticut,” examining the longstanding gap in dental coverage for Medicare beneficiaries and the impact that lack of access to oral healthcare can have on overall health. Her research explored the history and policy framework behind Medicare’s exclusion of routine dental services, as well as the clinical and financial consequences of untreated oral health needs. She highlighted how untreated oral disease can contribute to complications for individuals managing chronic conditions and can create barriers to important medical procedures, while also increasing reliance on more costly emergency care.

COHI was honored to attend the celebration of Sakshi’s poster presentation at the Connecticut Department of Public Health, where she shared her research and highlight the importance of addressing oral health as an essential part of overall health.

Sakshi’s work helped COHI better understand the policy landscape surrounding Medicare dental coverage and the opportunities to advocate for improved access to oral healthcare for Connecticut’s older adults. We are grateful for the time, research, and perspective Sakshi brought to COHI and appreciate the Connecticut Department of Public Health for providing this mentorship opportunity!

08/19/2026

This month, COHI held an Oral Health Education Forum at the The Cornerstone Foundation's Soup Kitchen in Rockville Vernon, CT with Dental Hygienist, Kathy Doten.

During the forum, we provided oral health education and had the opportunity to engage directly with residents. Together, we discussed the importance of maintaining good oral health, answered questions, and shared information and resources to help residents better understand the connection between oral health and overall well-being. 🦷 🩺

It was a great opportunity to connect with the community and have meaningful conversations around oral health. Thank you to Kathy Doten and the Cornerstone Foundation for helping us make this outreach possible! 💙

08/17/2026

Bringing oral health forums to the community 🙂‍↕️

Our executive Director Lisa at COHI's Oral Health Forum at the Friendship Service Center in New Britain last night to talk oral health and educate the community on the importance of dental hygiene.

The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative, Inc.

08/17/2026

COHI has been busy providing oral health outreach this summer! Earlier this month, our educational travels took our team to New Haven, where we attended two health fairs through the New Haven Community Foundation Barriers to Bridges Program in New Haven County: the Community Care Expo at Dixwell Q-House and the Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center Health Fair! 🦷

Across both events, we engaged more than 50 community residents, providing oral health education, sharing information, administering a brief survey, and distributing free oral health kits. 🪥📒

Thank you to Dixwell "Q" House, Cornell Scott - Hill Health Center, and the The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven for having us!

08/11/2026

COHI recently attended a reception hosted by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, bringing together grantees from across Middlesex county to celebrate their work, build connections, and share the impact they are making in their communities.

The reception was a valuable opportunity for COHI to connect with other grantees and talk about our work, including our efforts to provide dental care and oral health services to veterans in the Middlesex county area through our Salute to Smiles program. It was also an opportunity to raise awareness about the dental care needs of veterans and the importance of connecting them with accessible, quality care. 💙 🦷

COHI is grateful for the opportunity to be part of this gathering and to connect with organizations working to strengthen communities in Middlesex County! Thank you to the Community Foundation of Middlesex County for hosting this event and supporting our work!

08/04/2026

Help our friends at Make the Road CT support kids for back to school! They are currently accepting back to school donations until August 19th, to be distributed at their first ever Intergenerational Community Day on August 22nd, an event designed to strengthen bonds among Bridgeport children, youth, parents, and seniors.

It will be an occasion to enjoy summer, music, food, art, and our community's stories and traditions, as well as to distribute backpacks to children to help them prepare for the return to school. 🎒

See the information in the flyers attached and reach out for any questions!