- KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor: February 2021
- USDA Invites Comments on Final Rule to Expand Broadband Access in Rural America Under the ReConnect Program
- USDA Invests $42 Million in Distance Learning and Telemedicine Infrastructure to Improve Education and Health Outcomes
- Rural Death Rate from COVID-19 Falls by a Third
- Data-Driven Initiative Drives Down Disparities in Rural Health Care
- To Vaccinate Veterans, Health Care Workers Must Cross Mountains, Plains and Tundra
- Report: 10 Western States See Some Drug Overdoses Deaths Increase by Nearly 100%
- COVID-19 Is Pushing Struggling Rural Hospitals to the Brink
- COVID-19 Converges with the Opioid Epidemic: Challenges for Pregnant and Postpartum Women with Opioid Use Disorder
- Rural Hospital Remains Entrenched in COVID 'War' Even Amid Vaccine Rollout
- USDA Implements Immediate Measures to Help Rural Residents, Businesses and Communities Affected by COVID-19
- Biden Administration Announces Actions to Expand COVID-19 Testing
- Expanding Testing on Reservations
- Rural COVID-19 Cases Drop While Rural Death Rate Holds Steady
- 2021 Special Enrollment Period for Marketplace Coverage Starts on HealthCare.gov Monday, February 15
New ADA HPI Workforce Infographic Released
The American Dental Association (ADA) Health Policy Institute (HPI) released a new infographic, “The Dentist Workforce – Key Facts.” It contains dentist-to-population ratios by state and change over the past decade, age distribution and retirement age, as well as gender and racial and ethnic composition of the workforce.
Community Catalyst Shares New Oral Health Advocacy Resource
The Dental Access Project at Community Catalyst has developed a new one-pager, “Why Does Oral Health Matter?” The new resource makes the link between oral health, overall health, community empowerment, and racial and economic justice. This is intended to help draw links for policymakers, funders, coalition members, and others.
Pennsylvania Oral Health Coalition Releases Annual Report
Routine Dental Care May Reduce Stroke Risk
The importance of good oral health and its relationship to physical health has again been validated. According to a new study published in the American Heart Journal, periodontal disease appears to be associated with atrial fibrillation, and an irregular heart rate may be the mediator between the serious gum infection and stroke.
Community Water Fluoridation Equipment Grant Applications Being Accepted
PCOH is requesting proposals for community water fluoridation equipment grants. This grant seeks to issue funds to those public water systems wishing to initiate, update, or expand the practice of community water fluoridation. Priority will be given to initiation projects. A total of $20,000 will be awarded in the first half of 2021. Additional grants may be awarded in 2021 as funding becomes available. All grant applicants must complete the State Fluoridation Equipment Survey prior to submitting applications. Applications are due March 1, 2021.
Click here to take the survey.
Click here for the guidelines.
ADA Releases New Fluoride Resource for Dentists
The American Dental Association (ADA) released a new fluoride resource for dentists. The purpose of the document is to educate and encourage dentists to talk to their patients about community water fluoridation and to serve as community advocates. While intended for dentists, there is is information relevant to an interprofessional audience.
Pennsylvania Allows Dentists to Administer COVID-19 Vaccines
With many more pending, Pennsylvania joins more than a dozen other states in allowing dentists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine when delegated by a medical doctor or an osteopathic physician. As supplies of the vaccine are expected to increase considerably over the next few months, dental providers may play an important role in vaccine clinics.
PPE Supplies for Dental Available
The Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention (OSAP) announced that the dental industry now has ample supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) including surgical masks, respirators, and disposable gowns. PPE optimization is no longer necessary.
2021 Basic Screening Survey in Pennsylvania: PHDHPs Needed
Pennsylvania has few state-level data on dental caries rates in children. In response, the state is launching a program called the Basic Screening Survey (BSS). A list of 80 schools have been identified based on enrollment, demographics, geography, and other factors to serve as a representative sample of the state as a whole. Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioners (PHDHPs) will serve as screeners during the 2021-2022 school year and will conduct a quick screening (less than 2 minutes) on all third grade students. Screeners will enter data for each school visited and attend a paid virtual training session this summer. Screeners will be paid a stipend for every school site they complete and all materials will be provided.
Applications are due April 8, 2021.
Click here for more information.
Click here for qualifications.
Click here for the application.
PHDHP Site Expansion Finalized in Pennsylvania
The Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner (PHDHP) site expansion to medical settings in Pennsylvania has been published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and is effective upon this final-form rulemaking publication January 16, 2021. Please access this link for further information.