- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs: CY 2026 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; and Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs: CY 2026 Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; and Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program
- CMS: Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction Model
- CMS: Secretarial Comments on the CBE's (Battelle Memorial Institute) 2024 Activities: Report to Congress and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
- HHS: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Marketplace Integrity and Affordability
- Public Inspection: HHS: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Marketplace Integrity and Affordability
- Increased Risk of Cyber Threats Against Healthcare and Public Health Sector
- HRSA Announces Action to Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs for Life-Saving Medications at Health Centers Nationwide
- Announcing the 2030 Census Disclosure Avoidance Research Program
- Eight Hospitals Selected for First Cohort of Rural Hospital Stabilization Program
- CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2026 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; and Other Policy Changes; Correction
- CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2026 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; and Other Policy Changes; Correction
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Correction
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Correction
Study Focuses on Expanding Dental Care in Safety Net
A new study conducted by the Oral Health Workforce Research Center examined critical factors influencing the delivery of oral health services at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). The study evaluated trends in oral health services at 1,000 FQHCs nationwide and the results were recently published in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry.
2025 Compendium of Rural Oral Health Best Practices Released
The National Rural Health Association released the 2025 Compendium of Best Practices in Rural Oral Health. This collection contains best practices in programs, models, and policies aimed at enhancing access to quality rural oral health care.
Fluoride Resources Provided by the American Dental Association
The American Dental Association (ADA) Health Policy Institute (HPI) recently published a brief,
“State-Level Costs of Removing Fluoride from Community Water Systems.” Nationally, they estimate that the total five-year increase in dental care costs due to removing fluoride from community water systems is $45.9 billion dollars. For Pennsylvania, the estimated cost is over $1.1 billion dollars.
The ADA also released a series of resources to help combat fluoride misinformation. “Fluoridation Facts” highlights 80 years of research and practical experience to support water fluoridation. See below for several other helpful fluoridation resources from the ADA.
Click here to view the Fluoridation Facts Executive Summary.
Click here to view the full version of Fluoridation Facts.
Click here to view All About Fluoridation.
Click here to view How to Take Action on Water Fluoridation.
Click here to view Fluoride Facts for Water Operators.
New Report Examines School Dental Services and Medicaid Billing in Pennsylvania
We are pleased to announce the release of a new report, “School Dental Services and Medicaid Billing in Pennsylvania.” This PCOH report examines challenges and opportunities related to children’s access to dental care. The project aimed to assess the scope of dental services currently provided in public schools, identify barriers to implementation and sustainability, support schools in serving as access points for preventive care, and advocate for policy changes that would allow Medicaid reimbursement for services delivered in school settings.
This report was made possible through the generous support of the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. We would like to acknowledge the contributions of Corinna Culler, RDH, DrPH, a PCOH consultant who served as the lead author.
School Professional Oral Health Training Toolkit Launched
The Pennsylvania Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics and the Healthy Teeth, Healthy Children Program launched the School Professional Oral Health Training toolkit. This resource is designed to support school professionals in promoting oral health within the school community. The toolkit includes practical guidance, engaging materials, and evidence-based strategies to help integrate oral health into everyday school life. Please consider sharing this toolkit with your school networks and anyone else that would benefit.
Healthy Children, Healthy Teeth Toolkit Launched
Pennsylvania Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics and the Healthy Teeth, Healthy Children program is excited to announce that the School Professional Oral health Training (SPOT) toolkit is now ready to view and share. This comprehensive resource is designed to support all school professionals in promoting oral health within their school communities. The SPOT toolkit includes practical guidance, engaging materials, and evidence-based strategies to help integrate oral health into everyday school life.
New Self-Paced Course Launched on Minimally Invasive Procedures
The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is offering a new self-paced course, “Innovative Pediatric Dental Care: Exploring Minimally Invasive Procedures.” This online course equips dental professionals with the knowledge and tools to integrate evidence-based, minimally invasive solutions into pediatric care. It explores fluoride and silver diamine fluoride applications, atraumatic restorative treatment, and the Hall technique for stainless steel crowns. There is 1 CEU available for dental providers.
Getting Help for Adults Needing Dental Care
Do you work with any individuals who may be elderly, veterans, considered medically fragile, or have disabilities, with no way to afford dental treatments? Through Dental Lifeline Network’s Donated Dental Services program, they may be eligible to receive free dental care. Dental Lifeline Network partners with volunteer dentists and labs in communities to provide comprehensive dental care to qualified adults in need of dental care, at no cost. Individuals can qualify to receive life-changing dental care.
FDA to Pull Fluoride Supplements from Market
Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced fluoride supplementals will be pulled from the market effective October 2025. This announcement specifically applies to “ingestible fluoride prescription drug products,” not toothpaste, mouth rinses, silver diamine fluoride, varnish, or other topical products.
ADA & Penn Dental Launch Living Guideline Program
The American Dental Association (ADA) and University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine announced a new program that will provide evidence-informed guidelines in real time to support patient care and advance public health.
The ADA Living Guideline Program is the first and only known living guideline program dedicated to oral health. The traditional guideline process usually updates every 3-5 years, but the living guideline program will allow patients, providers, policymakers, and others to adopt the information as new evidence emerges.