- 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
- HRSA Announces Action to Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs for Life-Saving Medications at Health Centers Nationwide
- Public Inspection: HHS: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Marketplace Integrity and Affordability
- Increased Risk of Cyber Threats Against Healthcare and Public Health Sector
- Eight Hospitals Selected for First Cohort of Rural Hospital Stabilization Program
- Announcing the 2030 Census Disclosure Avoidance Research 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
- CMS: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2026
- CMS: Medicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
Oral Health Coalition Announces Update for Funding Opportunity for Community Water Systems
As a reminder, 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. This funding round gives priority to community water systems that are initiating a fluoridation program. Systems may be at any stage in the initiation process. Systems which have previously received equipment grants from PCOH may apply for equipment updates and replacements, though first-time applicants will receive priority consideration. The maximum request per water system wishing to initiate or currently fluoridating has just increased and now may not exceed $50,000. If funds remain after the first application deadline, a second funding round will be announced.
Applications are due November 9th by 5pm.
Click here for the guidelines and application.
Funding for this project is through the Pennsylvania Department of Health through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Grant NU58DP006467: Using Surveillance Data and Evidence-based Interventions to Improve Oral Health Outcomes in Pennsylvania. 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.
ADA Tips for Referring Patients to State QuitLines
The American Dental Association (ADA) released a toolkit that offers dentists and other dental providers guidance on referring patients to State QuitLines to support tobacco and vaping cessation efforts. Oral health providers are well-positioned to integrate tobacco cessation into routine practice, and state QuitLines make an excellent partner by providing free services to help individuals quit tobacco.
New Training Series Announced! Building Confidence in Serving People with Disabilities
Oral Health Kansas and the Pathways to Oral Health Team are partnering with the University of Kansas Medical Center and Aetna Better Health of Kansas to offer a new training series, “Accessible Oral Health 2023: Building Confidence in Serving People with Disabilities.” This Project ECHO series will help dental teams learn more about people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, communication strategies, sensory awareness, as well as tools and resources for treating people with disabilities. Private practice dental teams, community health centers, and care coordinators are encouraged to attend. The five-part series is available at lunchtime and is free of charge.
The first session will be held on October 19.
New Report Released: Fluoride’s Role in Preventing Caries in Adults and Seniors
The American Dental Association (ADA) recently published a white paper, “Fluoride’s Critical Role in Preventing Caries in Adults and Seniors.” This resource was created to share data and insight about the important role of fluoride in managing the needs of adults and seniors. The paper includes the results of an exclusive ADA survey conducted to better understand the oral health risks for adults and shares approaches for dental professionals to help patients prevent dental caries between dental visits.
New Resource Guide Released: Oral Health in Schools
The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center (OHRC) recently published “Promoting Oral Health in Schools: A Resource Guide.” This guide provides information about materials for promoting oral health in schools and features materials on data and surveillance, policy, professional education, program development, and public education.
ADA Survey Report on Teledentistry Released
A new survey report was published from the American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators Panel. The report, “Teledentistry Adoption and Applications,” found that the adoption of teledentistry grew in the past three years, in part because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the technology may be underused. Thirty percent of respondents said they use teledentistry, with 60% of users expressing satisfaction and noting increased access and quality of care, while 60% of those not using teledentistry said there wasn’t a need.
Title V National Performance Measure on Oral Health Resource Announced
The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center recently shared a new resource, “Snapshot of the U.S. Jurisdictions’ Activities Addressing Title V National Performance Measure 13 (Oral Health) During Fiscal Year 2022.” The report presents a snapshot of jurisdictions’ experiences with implementing strategies to promote preventive dental visit for pregnant women, children, and adolescents. Challenges, accomplishments, and technical assistance needs related to each jurisdiction are discussed.
Funding Opportunity Announced for Community Water Systems in Pennsylvania
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. This funding round gives priority to community water systems that are initiating a fluoridation program. Systems may be at any stage in the initiation process. Systems which have previously received equipment grants from PCOH may apply for equipment updates and replacements, though first-time applicants will receive priority consideration. The maximum request per water system wishing to initiate or currently fluoridating may not exceed $25,000. If funds remain after the first application deadline, a second funding round will be announced.
Applications are due November 9 by 5pm.
Funding for this project is through the Pennsylvania Department of Health through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Grant NU58DP006467: Using Surveillance Data and Evidence-based Interventions to Improve Oral Health Outcomes in Pennsylvania. 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.
New Report Highlights Linkage Between Oral Health and Heart Infection Prevention
The American Heart Association published an article linking oral health to heart infection prevention. The article discussed how good oral hygiene and regular dental care are the most important ways to reduce risk of a heart infection called infective endocarditis caused by bacteria in the mouth.
September is Dental Infection Control Month
September is “Dental Infection Control Month” as recognized by the Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention. This celebration brings awareness to infection prevention and control in dental settings. This year’s theme is “Staying in the Know Together.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides training materials and other resources to increase the knowledge, skills, and ability of dental health care personnel to adhere to CDC guidelines and recommendations.