- Biden-Harris Administration Invests $74 Million to Improve Health Care for People Living in 37 States, Guam and Puerto Rico
- HHS Invests Nearly $60 Million to Strengthen Health Care Workforce and Improve Access to Care in Rural Communities
- A Proclamation on National Health Center Week, 2022
- The US Mental Health Hotline Network Is Expanding, but Rural Areas Still Face Care Shortages
- American Institute of Dental Public Health Rural Oral Health ECHO Call for Case Presentations
- CMS: Medicare Program: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems and Quality Reporting Programs; Organ Acquisition; Rural Emergency Hospitals: Payment Policies, Conditions of Participation, Provider Enrollment, Physician Self-Referral; New Service Category for Hospital Outpatient Department Prior Authorization Process; Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating
- Inflation is Crushing Rural America and May Even Drive People to the Cities
- House Members Ask HHS to Clarify Enforcement Plans for 96-hour Rule
- Northern Navajo Medical Center Delivers Care Directly to Patients Experiencing Homelessness
- There Aren't Nearly Enough Native American Physicians. A Crash Course in Medicine Seeks to Change That
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems and Quality Reporting Programs; Organ Acquisition; etc.
- Nurse Midwives Step Up to Provide Prenatal Care After Two Rural Hospitals Shutter Birthing Centers
- Rural Infection Rate Climbs for Third Consecutive Week
- Rural Hospital Rescue Program is Met with Skepticism from Administrators
- Rural Hospital Rescue Program is Met with Skepticism from Administrators
AIDPH LGBTQ+ Oral Health Survey 2022 Announced
The American Institute of Dental Public Health is asking oral health providers to complete a brief survey assessing knowledge, comfort, educational experience, and resource building related to LGBTQ+ oral health. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and participation is voluntary. Responses are confidential and anonymous.
Impact of School Sealant Programs Report Released
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report, “Impact of School Sealant Programs on Oral Health Among Youth and Identification of Potential Barriers to Implementation.” This is the first study to examine children’s cavity risk and school dental sealant program impact in CDC-funded states. This study found that for every four sealants placed, one cavity is prevented. Increasing access to school sealant programs could reduce cavities, especially for children at higher risk for poor oral health.
Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact: Your Input is Needed!
The National Center for Interstate Compacts within the Council of State Governments shared a resource on the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, a project funded by the Department of Defense. The Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact is an interstate occupational licensure compact, which is a constitutionally authorized, legally binding, and legislatively enacted contract among states. The compact will enable licensed dental providers to practice in all states participating in the compact, rather then requiring providers to get individual licenses in each state. Interstate compacts already exist for emergency medical service officials, physical therapists, and other medical professionals.
Please review the draft interstate compact and submit comments via the survey.
Click here for more information.
Click here to review the draft.
Click here to submit comments.
Funding Opportunity: Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan Mini-Grants
PCOH is requesting proposals for the 2022-2023 Oral Health Plan Mini-Grant Program. The purpose of this program is to facilitate the implementation of the goals and recommendations of the 2020-2030 Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan, as well as to advance the oral health of all Pennsylvanians. Requests may not exceed $4,000 with applications due by September 28 at 5:00 pm.
Click here to view the guidelines.
Click here to apply.
Funding for this project is through the Pennsylvania Department of Health through Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grant. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by CDC, HHS or the U.S. Government.
Oral Health In Rural Pennsylvania: Why Is It Such a Problem?
On August 3, the Pennsylvania Rural Health Association held a webinar on oral health in rural Pennsylvania as part of its Special Topics in Rural Health 2022 Webinar Series hosted by Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-PA 65th District) and Sen. Michele Brooks (R-PA 50th District). Helen Hawkey, Executive Director of the PA Coalition for Oral Health, gave an in-depth overview of oral health access and workforce in rural Pennsylvania and provided compelling statistics and maps to illustrate the disparities in oral health in rural areas of the state.
See below for links to the presentation and the recording.
Presentation: Oral Health in Rural Pennsylvania. 8.3.22
Recording: Oral Health In Rural Pennsylvania
Oral Health Workforce Report Released by Pennsylvania Oral Health Coalition
PCOH has released a workforce report that finds a major decrease in dental workforce, including a staggering decrease in dental assistants. The “Access to Oral Health Workforce Report” uncovers that many Pennsylvania counties are struggling to maintain recommended worker levels. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, rural areas and Medicaid provider networks have seen the sharpest reductions in care providers. This will result in limited access and delayed care for Pennsylvanians, especially those in rural communities. The report also evaluates education and training programs, state tax and local income losses, the impact of COVID-19 relief programs, and dental – Health Professional Shortage Areas (d-HPSAs).
Register Now! Communities in Crisis: Exploring the PA Oral Health Workforce Shortages
PCOH is set to release a workforce report that explores the decline in the size of dental workforce and what it means for Pennsylvanians. Join PCOH staff, partners, and consultants on August 1st at 12 pm ET as we break down the findings as well as further implications. The report and recording will be shared after the webinar. Registration is required.
Pennsylvania Medicaid Changes Coming. Help Spread the Word, Access Oral Health Resources
PCOH is distributing resources for Medicaid HealthChoices members and dental providers to explain the upcoming changes to the HealthChoices program. Pennsylvania is updating the contracts they have with insurance/health plans that serve PA Medicaid members and some of the current plans that providers may participate with will no longer be available in certain regions. Changes go into effect on September 1, 2022.
Please share the resources with your networks to ensure members and providers understand the upcoming changes. The member resource will also be available in Spanish.
Click here to request printed resources.
Click here for the member resource.
Click here for the provider resource.
Academy of Pediatrics Solicits Input into Oral Health Direction
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Oral Health is asking stakeholders to complete a survey on the effectiveness of oral health initiatives/Campaign for Dental Health, priorities for future directions, and resources needed to improve management of oral health promotion, disease prevention, and early childhood caries. The AAP seeks to strengthen oral health initiatives:
- In the wake of the pandemic.
- As part of the AAP Equity Agenda
- Because children continue to see a pediatric or primary care provider or other trusted community member long before they see a dental professional and during the years in which prevention of dental disease is optimal.
The survey deadline is July 15.
Pennsylvania Oral Health Coalition Collecting Info on Medicaid Credentialing Issues
Many dental providers and organizations are reporting having trouble getting their providers credentialed with the Pennsylvania Medicaid Managed Care Organizations. We are hoping to lift this up with the Department of Human Services, and would appreciate connecting with any Pennsylvania providers that have experienced significant delays.