- Weathering the Storm Together: Community Resiliency Hubs Hold the Promise of Local Self-Sufficiency and Supportive Mutual Aid
- Virginia Tech Researchers Bring Rural Families into the Nation's Largest Study of Early Brain and Child Development
- Expanding Access to Cancer Care for Rural Veterans
- VA: Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee, Notice of Meeting
- Scaling Rural Wellness with Clever Collaboration
- Stroudwater Associates Enhances Rural Healthcare Dashboard with New Data to Support State Rural Transformation Grant Applications
- Harvest Season Is Here: Busy Times Call for Increased Focus on Safety and Health
- HHS Dispatches More Than 70 Public Health Service Officers to Strengthen Care in Tribal Communities
- Wisconsin Rural Hospitals Team up to Form Network
- CMS Launches Landmark $50 Billion Rural Health Transformation Program
- American Heart Association Provides Blood Pressure Kits at Southeast Arkansas Regional Libraries to Support Rural Health
- Broadening Access to Minimally Invasive Surgery Could Narrow Rural-Urban Health Gaps
- Instead of Selling, Some Rural Hospitals Band Together To Survive
- Help Line Gives Pediatricians Crucial Mental Health Information to Help Kids, Families
- Rural Health: A Strategic Opportunity for Governors
Oral Health’s Role in Identifying Undiagnosed Diabetes
Incorporating HbA1c screening into dental practices offers a valuable opportunity to identify patients with undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes, especially among those who may not regularly seek medical care.
The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health created a resource that outlines the roles, benefits, and considerations for oral health providers in screening for diabetes.
Pennsylvania Oral Health Coalition Promotes Awareness of National Study on Fluoridation
The PA Coalition for Oral Health (PCOH) recently published a press release relating to a new large-scale U.S. study published in Science Advances that offers important clarity on the safety of fluoride in drinking water. The study found that children exposed to recommended levels of fluoride in municipal water experienced no negative effects on brain development, and in some cases, it showed modest improvements in cognitive performance during adolescence.
National Dental Association Releases Medicaid Toolkit for Dentists
The American Dental Association (ADA) released a toolkit to support dentists in providing care to Medicaid patients while maintaining financial viability. The guide provides concrete strategies for credentialing, scheduling, team utilization and administrative coordination to help mitigate common issues that lead to lost revenue or patient attrition.
New Fact Sheets Released on Diabetes and Oral Health
New fact sheet alert!
PCOH and the Pennsylvania Department of Health Oral Health Program just published two new fact sheets for patients and providers about the connection between diabetes and oral health. These have been added to PCOH’s Resource page and will be available to order in print on the Request Materials page in 2026.
Click here to view Diabetes and Oral Health (for providers).
Click here to view Diabetes and Your Teeth.
Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts Resources for Providers Available
The American Heart Association’s Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts initiative, in collaboration with Delta Dental, is dedicated to bridging the gap between oral health and heart health care. Dental professionals are uniquely positioned to detect early signs of systemic disease, including elevated blood pressure.
The American Heart Association released new resources including a hypertension screening implementation kit for dental offices, a resource toolkit, and an online module.
Pennsylvania Oral Health Coalition Recognized by State Dental Hygienists’ Association
The Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association (PDHA) awarded PA Coalition for Oral Health the Presidential Citation for outstanding and ongoing support of the mission and vision of PDHA. This recognition comes from Immediate Past President Barbara Reiprich and was presented by President Kimberly Bury.
Health Policy Institute Updates Dentist Workforce Report
The American Dental Association (ADA) Health Policy Institute (HPI) released an updated report on the U.S. dentist workforce. The report now includes data from 2025 and covers where dentists work, how dental practices are performing economically, and projections about the future of the dentist workforce.
American Dental Association Provides Medicaid Financial Sustainability Toolkit
The American Dental Association (ADA) is dedicated to making improvements to Medicaid access and prepared this toolkit to support dentists who participate in Medicaid.
This document offers policy-grounded guidance and operational strategies to help practices deliver high-quality care while maintaining financial viability. It aligns with ADA advocacy priorities to reduce administrative burdens, improve reimbursement rates, and enhance program design so that participation is financially and professionally suitable for all dentists and beneficial for all beneficiaries.
AAPD and ADA Respond to FDA Recommendation Against Fluoride Supplements
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its recommendation against the use of fluoride supplements for children under age three or any child at low or moderate risk for tooth decay.
Both the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and American Dental Association (ADA) released statements in response. Thanks to the AAPD for this clarification: “The FDA does not have regulatory authority over traditional supplements, like multivitamins. These types of products containing fluoride will remain available.”
Click here to read the AAPD statement.
Click here to read the ADA statement.
Oral Health and Dementia Course Teaches Strategies to Care for Patients with Cognitive Decline
This self-paced course examines Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (ADRD), both of which can complicate the delivery and outcomes of dental care to patients.
Through real-world scenarios and evidence-based strategies, this course equips dental professionals with the tools to recognize and respond to the unique challenges facing individuals with dementia. The course examines how verbal and nonverbal communication techniques can enhance patient cooperation and comfort, as well as how tailored treatment plans can address common oral health issues such as dry mouth, periodontal disease, and oral pain across the stages of cognitive decline.