New Statewide Initiative Focuses on Expanding Dental Care Access for Kansans with Disabilities
Pathways to Oral Health, a new statewide initiative and online resource hub, has launched to improve access to dental care for Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Backed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Division of Health Care Finance and in partnership with all three KanCare managed care organizations, the program offers tools and support to reduce barriers and foster more inclusive dental care across the state.
A centerpiece of the initiative is the My Dental Care Passport, a free, customizable tool that allows patients or caregivers to share key preferences and needs with dental teams—such as communication styles, sensory sensitivities, or mobility support. The My Dental Care Passport helps reduce anxiety and supports smoother, more personalized visits.
Pathways to Oral Health also provides resources for dental providers, including step-by-step KanCare enrollment guidance, educational tools, and direct assistance through a dedicated Dental Medicaid Facilitator. This concierge-style support simplifies processes, debunks Medicaid myths, and encourages sustainable practice growth by helping providers confidently serve Medicaid patients with disabilities.
“This is about dignity, access and health,” said Tanya Dorf Brunner, executive director of Oral Health Kansas. “With tools like the Passport and a dedicated support system for providers, we’re building stronger bridges between patients and the dental teams who care for them.”
To get involved or download the My Dental Care Passport, visit www.pathwaystooralhealth.org.
