Rural Health Information Hub Latest News

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:

  1.  In the wake of the pandemic.
  2. As part of the AAP Equity Agenda
  3. 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.

Click here to complete the survey.

Latest Dental Health Policy Insitute Workforce Poll Results Released

The American Dental Association Health Policy Institute (HPI) released the latest data from their Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry poll conducted between May 17-22, 2022. The data shed new light on the impact the dental staff shortage is having on practices across the country. It focuses on recruitment needs, position vacancies, and economic confidence. Core questions are also available in a new, interactive state dashboard.

Click here for more information and to check out the dashboard.

Oral Health/Rural Health Study Commissioned in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative service agency consisting of 12 members of the General Assembly. The LBFC is authorized to conduct a wide range of research activities pertaining to the operation and performance of state-funded programs and agencies. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives adopted House Resolution (HR) 68 on March 23, 2021 which pertains to the availability of dental health services in rural areas of Pennsylvania and seeks recommendations to expand oral health care to those areas. This study will be performed by the LBFC this summer and a final report, with policy recommendations, is expected by the end of 2022.

WHO Adopts Oral Health Strategy

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced member states’ adoption of a new global strategy on oral health at the World Health Assembly 75. This strategy will guide the development of a new global action plan that includes a framework for tracking progress with targets for achieving optimal oral health to be completed by 2030. This plan sets the stage for universal health coverage for oral health, with the goal of allowing all people to access oral health services and live healthy lives by “tackling social and commercial determinants and risk factors of oral diseases and conditions.”

Click here to read the article.

Oral Health, Mental Health, and Substance Use Treatment Toolkit Released

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing developed a new toolkit, “Oral Health, Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment: A Framework for Increased Coordination and Integration.” The toolkit provides a guide for health professionals to increase coordination and integration efforts across oral, mental, and substance use treatment settings. The toolkit includes suggestions, strategies, and examples for implementation of new care models across health systems.

Click here to view the toolkit.