NCSL Legislative Video Resource Center

Poor oral health can have a detrimental effect on children’s quality of life, their performance at school, and their success later in life.  Cost savings are also associated with preventing tooth decay at a young age; yet, oral health disparities persist, especially based on geography, income-level and race/ethnicity. Schools can be an important setting for promoting oral health in school-aged children, and many states have created school dental sealant programs and other school-based oral health programs to increase access to oral health services. This webinar will cover the importance of oral health promotion from a young age and the differences that exist in oral care access, as well as the specific role that states can play. Experts will share initiatives in their states to increase access to oral health services in school-aged children.   

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans experience mental illness each year, and many lack access to necessary services and treatment. State lawmakers are pursuing various policy actions to ensure people have access to affordable mental health care, including enforcing federal behavioral health parity requirements and expanding insurance coverage for behavioral health. This webinar will cover updates to federal coverage requirements and highlight related state actions.