- 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
Pennsylvania Dentistry Board Shares Draft for Proposed Mobile Dental Unit Regulations
The Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry has released an exposure draft with proposed updates to regulations related to Mobile Dental Units (Rulemaking #16A-4629). Stakeholders are encouraged to review the proposed changes and share any feedback or comments they would like considered.
Comments may be submitted to RA-STRegulatoryCounsel@pa.gov by August 24, 2026, and should reference Rulemaking #16A-4629 (Mobile Dental Units).
Pennsylvania PHDHP Survey Summary Released
Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health (PCOH) conducted a survey of Pennsylvania public health dental hygiene practitioners (PHDHPs).
Check out the summary of results at the link below to learn more about PHDHP certification utilization, public health settings where PHDHPs work, populations seen by PHDHPs, and PHDHP participation with Pennsylvania Medicaid and CHIP.
Rural vs. Urban Patterns of Dental Care Services and Outcomes Among Medicaid-Enrolled Children
This brief reports rural vs. urban patterns of preventive services, restorative or surgical dental services, and incidence rates of dental caries in 2021 and 2022 among Medicaid-enrolled children ages 2 to 5.
New Videos Engage Kids In Positive Oral Health
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and the Iowa Oral Health Program published three new videos as part of their “Healthy Habits All-Star” series. The newest videos focus on dental sealants, visiting the dentist, and choosing healthy treats.
New Members Join the Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan Advisory Group
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is pleased to announce the dedicated oral health stakeholders that have been selected to serve on the Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan Advisory Group (OHPAG). The OHPAG plays a critical role in guiding the implementation of Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan, identifying priorities, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to improve oral health across the state.
Congratulations to the new members!
- Angela Zaino-Hallock, Maternal & Family Health Services
- Dr. Caitlin McCarthy, The Wright Center
- Darcie Schaffer, Volunteers in Medicine*
- Dr. Mark Stephens, Penn State College of Medicine
- Dr. Michael Halupa, Geisinger Health System*
- Dr. Ryan Ruff, Penn Dental Medicine
- Dr. Richard Celko, UPMC Health Plan
- Jessica Merriman, Highmark Wholecare
- Maria Lomnychuk, Berks Technical Institute
*Past OHPAG member with renewed term
American Dental Association Health Policy Institute Launches New Article Series
The American Dental Association (ADA) Health Policy Institute (HPI) has launched a new series of articles, “HPI Perspectives.” This series leverages the latest data from HPI and other sources to provide analyses of important dental trends. The first items focus on the federal loan cap, dental student demographics, the dental hygienist shortage, and migration of dentists across state lines.
American Dental Group Launches Health Policy Series
The American Dental Association (ADA) Health Policy Institute (HPI) has launched a new series of articles, “HPI Perspectives.” This series leverages the latest data from HPI and other sources to provide analyses of important dental trends. The first pieces focus on the federal loan cap, dental student demographics, the dental hygienist shortage, and migration of dentists across state lines.
Policy Brief Explores Rural vs. Urban Patterns of Dental Care Services and Outcomes Among Medicaid-Enrolled Children
This brief reports rural vs. urban patterns of preventive services, restorative or surgical dental services, and incidence rates of dental caries in 2021 and 2022 among Medicaid-enrolled children ages 2 to 5.
Key Findings:
- The majority of rural children did not receive two dental cleanings per year as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (2021: 85.9%, 2022: 78.8%). Most suburban (2021: 86.4%, 2022: 79.0%) and urban children (2021: 86.8%, 2022: 79.6%) did not receive two dental cleanings per year.
- Rural children had more restorative dental services (i.e., fillings and crowns) per year (2021: 12.6%, 2022: 19.5%) than suburban (2021: 10.9%, 2022: 17.3%) and urban (2021: 10.4%, 2022: 16.6%) children.
- Rural children had the highest incidence of caries (i.e., tooth decay) diagnosed per year (2021: 4.4%, 2022: 5.2%) when compared to suburban (2021: 4.1%, 2022: 4.9%) and urban (2021: 3.6%, 2022: 3.4%) children.
Contact Information:
Cassie Odahowski, PhD, MPH
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Phone: 803.251.6317
clo@mailbox.sc.edu
New Study Explores Diseases Arising from Oral-Systemic Connection
A new research study explored the impact of oral microbiome with systemic diseases. Researchers identified 40 systematic reviews and studies published between 2019 and 2025. They found that oral microbial dysbiosis may be associated with cardiovascular diseases, Type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic respiratory infections, autoimmune diseases, adverse pregnancy outcomes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer.
Wright Center Opens Dental Clinic in Rural Pennsylvania County
The Wright Center for Community Health will be adding dental services to the Wyoming County Healthcare Center in Tunkhannock, PA. The clinic is currently being prepared for patients and an official opening date has not been announced.