{"id":3174,"date":"2026-05-05T19:41:55","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T19:41:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.dental.uw.edu\/derouencenter\/?p=3174"},"modified":"2026-05-05T20:59:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T20:59:03","slug":"abcd-parent-to-statewide-leader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/research.dental.uw.edu\/derouencenter\/abcd-parent-to-statewide-leader\/","title":{"rendered":"ABCD Parent to Statewide Leader"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Heather
Heather Gallagher (left) and Gracemarie Cepero Lopez (right) at an Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) booth. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My name is Heather Gallagher, and I am the Senior Program Manager for Access at Arcora Foundation, leading the DentistLink and Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) public-private partnerships.<\/p>\n

When I look back on my professional journey in oral health, it is impossible to separate it from my personal story. Long before I held my role at Arcora Foundation, I was a young mom doing her best to care for her children while navigating the realities of Apple Health, access barriers, and the hope that preventive care could truly make a difference.<\/p>\n

That hope first became real for me through the Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) program.<\/p>\n

A Personal Introduction to Access<\/strong><\/p>\n

As a parent enrolled in Apple Health (Medicaid), finding quality dental care for my children was not easy. Like many families, I faced uncertainty about where to go, whether providers would accept our coverage, and how to make sure my kids received not just treatment, but high quality, prevention-focused care.<\/p>\n

Through ABCD, my children were connected to participating dentists who understood the importance of early, preventive dental visits. I saw firsthand what happens when systems are intentionally designed to address inequities and meet families where they are. Barriers fall, trust grows, and children get the care they deserve.<\/p>\n

At the time, I did not know that this experience would ultimately shape my career. I only knew that it worked and that it mattered.<\/p>\n

From Participant to Local Coordinator<\/strong><\/p>\n

Years later, when the opportunity arose to work more closely with ABCD, I was excited to serve. I became a local ABCD program coordinator, supporting providers, families, and community partners to ensure children could consistently access quality oral health care.<\/p>\n

In that role, I gained a deeper understanding of the ecosystem behind access:<\/p>\n