- VA Announces Expansion of "Close to Me" Cancer Program as Part of the Cancer Moonshot, Bringing Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Closer to Thousands of Veterans
- Navajo Psychiatrist Bridges Gaps Between Native American Culture and Behavioral Health Care
- Biden-Harris Administration Releases National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and First-Ever Federal Action Plan
- Biden-Harris Administration Takes Historic Action to Increase Access to Quality Care, and Support to Families and Care Workers
- Biden Administration Sets Higher Staffing Mandates. Most Nursing Homes Don't Meet Them.
- Rural Jails Turn to Community Health Workers To Help the Newly Released Succeed
- Rural Communities Face Primary Care Physician Shortage
- Miles for Milk: How Student-Run Grocery Store Reshaped Rural Community's Food Access
- Native Americans Have Shorter Life Spans, and It's Not Just Due to Lack of Health Care
- Promotoras Play Essential Role in Connecting Farmworkers with Health Care in Rural NorCal
- Across the Country, Amish Populations Are on the Rise
- Using Medicaid to Address Young People's Mental Health Needs in School Settings
- Sunsets, Wildlife and Limited Care: Challenges of Aging in Place in Rural America
- City-Country Mortality Gap Widens amid Persistent Holes in Rural Health Care Access
- Tribal Environmental Impact Network
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.”
New Oral Health Activity Book for Kids Released
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created “Take Care of Your Teeth,” an oral health activity book for children. The book features coloring pages, mazes, word searches, and connect-the-dots to teach children how regular oral health habits can help prevent cavities. The book is available in 13 languages.
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.
New Report Released: COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on US Childhood Caries
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a publication, “COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on US Childhood Caries and Potential Mitigation” in the Journal of Dental Research. This is the first study to examine the impacts of reduced access to dental care during the pandemic on the oral health status of children from low-income families in the country.
Dental Sealant Benefits Outlined in American Dental Association White Paper
The ADA Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention released a white paper listing the benefits of using dental sealants in children and adolescents and providing guidance on prevention, quality and efficacy measures on the use of sealants, according to ADA News. The white paper, which was created by the council’s Advisory Committee on Dental Sealants with Irene Hilton, D.D.S., as chair, found that sealants can effectively prevent and arrest pit-and-fissure/ occlusal carious lesions of primary and permanent molars and reduce the progression of noncavitated occlusal carious lesions.
Full Story: ADA News
2022 Colgate Bright Smiles Kids Award Nominations Being Accepted
In 2022, Colgate is encouraging children ages 6-14 to unleash their optimism and creativity to inspire the kind of future we can all smile about. Now, until April 8, 2022, Colgate BSBF will be accepting video entries (up to 2-minutes) of musical, scientific, artistic, journalistic, technology-focused, culinary, or other projects highlighting how optimism can positively impact our lives and futures. Ideas and inspiration can be found on their website, along with contest rules and regulations. Finalists will be determined by an advisory panel and winners will be selected by a live audience. The first-place national award winner will receive $10,000 for their school or organization. Second and third-place winners will be awarded $5,000 and $2,500 respectively. Ideas and inspiration can be found on the Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Future website, along with contest rules and regulations.
Teledentistry Helps Provide the Right Care at the Right Time
The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health presents a report on the best uses of teledentistry. This research report discusses the use of teledentistry for dental triage, follow-up care, and in place of in-person visits for patients with less access to care, such as those in rural areas.
ICYMI: “Oral Health for All: Realizing the Promise of Science”
Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, co-authored an editorial focusing on oral health. The highest burden of dental and oral disease is shouldered by marginalized and chronically underserved groups. Moving forward, we will need to forge a path for oral health care that prioritizes overall health, prevention, expanded access, affordability, and equity.