The PA Coalition for Oral Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Health Oral Health Program are working together on a multimedia communications campaign for 11–17-year-olds on reducing sugar-sweetened and acidic beverage consumption in certain PA counties.

The project is multifaceted, consisting of a social media campaign, as well as print materials to be displayed in-office/in the waiting room, and an interactive demonstration. They are looking for clinics in Allegheny, Berks, Centre, Clarion, Crawford, Jefferson, Lancaster, or Lehigh counties that would be able to display the print materials and conduct the interactive demonstration at one community event this spring. If spacing is an issue, the sugar-sweetened beverage materials and acid materials can be displayed separately.

The PA Coalition for Oral Health are asking that materials be displayed from March 3, 2025- May 30, 2025, and that during at least one community event during that time, you complete the acid interactive demonstration. All materials will be mailed to you free of charge and are yours to keep at the end of the campaign. The materials that would be displayed in your office/waiting room are:

• One 40×29 tri-fold display board on sugar-sweetened beverages
• One 8.5×11 poster (with built-in easel) on acidity in drinks
• A stack of rack-card sized flyers on acidity in drinks
• A stack of 8.5×11 flyers: Tips for Healthy Sips
• A stack of 8.5×11 flyers: What Should Kids Drink
• A stack of 8.5×11 flyers: A Student Guide to Sugary Drinks

Please email Lia BenYishay by Wednesday, Feb.26, 2025 if you’re interested or if you have any follow-up questions.

The Academy at Harvard Medical School is hosting “Why Oral Health Needs a Home in Medical Education” this Thursday, January 30th at 5 pm ET as part of their Medical Education Grand Rounds series. They will cover the importance of oral health content in undergraduate and graduate medical education, review the history of medical-dental education, and preview future opportunities.

Click here for more information and to register.

The United States celebrated 80 years since water fluoridation was initiated in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Join PCOH and the 100+ reputable international health and science organizations in recognizing and celebrating the amazing impact that water fluoridation continues to have. Please consider taking action to promote the benefits of fluoridation so that we can celebrate the next milestone.

Here’s three ways you can take action:

1. Join the Statewide Water Action Team (SWAT) and notify PCOH when you hear rumblings about water fluoridation in your local community.
2. Review the linked talking points so that you are prepared when talking with others about water fluoridation in the news.

Share printed and electronic resources with patients, colleagues, and community members so that they are aware of the benefits of and science behind fluoridation and fluoride treatments.

Oral health materials are available on the Request Materials page at no cost. Physical and online materials include oral health flyers, posters, rack cards, postcards, and magnets. Topics include general oral health, kids’ health, tobacco/nicotine, workforce, and fluoride.

These resources are great for patient education in waiting rooms, distribution at health fairs and other
community events, and much more.

Click here to request materials.

A new legislative session in Pennsylvania kicked off last week, launching a two-year period for lawmakers to address critical priorities in the commonwealth. Amidst a variety of issues set for debate, PA Coalition for Oral Health remains dedicated to advancing policy changes that strengthen oral health infrastructure in Pennsylvania.

To guide our advocacy efforts, we are introducing the PCOH 2025 Policy Agenda. Shaped by PCOH strategic goals, this is our roadmap to promote better oral health outcomes across Pennsylvania.

Click here to read the 2025 Policy Agenda.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded $192,050 was awarded to HealthPath Foundation of Ohio to build the oral health workforce and improve access to oral healthcare in North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Impacting 170 counties across four Appalachian states, this project will engage state partners, educational institutions, and state oral health coalitions (including the PA Coalition for Oral Health) in identifying and detailing state-specific needs to address 144 areas that lack an adequate number of dental health professionals—affecting more than 7.8 million Appalachians.

Click here to learn more about the project.

The National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) is seeking interested health centers to participate in the “Sealant Learning Communities Collaborative”. The virtual collaborative will take place February-June 2025 and allow for health centers to engage in activities that will improve their UDS Sealant Measure Outcomes. Accepted health centers will participate in four 1-hour interactive virtual webinars. Applications are due December 2.

Click here for more information and to apply.

PCOH strongly affirms our support of adjusting fluoride in water to optimal levels. Community water fluoridation (CWF) remains the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay and protect oral health. 

For nearly 80 years, communities across the United States have been adjusting the naturally occurring amount of fluoride in water to the amount recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for optimal oral health, and this practice has improved the oral health of tens of millions of Americans. As with most things, the amount you consume matters and too much of anything can be harmful. This is why the amount of fluoride in water is heavily regulated, tested, and ensured to be safe. Studies and court cases are often cited that indicate that fluoride causes negative health effects, when in reality, these studies are based on fluoride amounts that are far higher than we allow in the United States.

In Pennsylvania, each community water system makes its own decision on whether or not they will adjust the natural levels of fluoride in the water they provide to their customers. Adjusting the amount of fluoride in water reaches entire communities and addresses oral health needs for everyone in the community in a way that no other oral health tool can; it’s an accessible resource for all, regardless of insurance status, socioeconomic status, or access to dental care.  As we continue to face growing dental workforce shortages, adjusting fluoride levels in water is a preventive measure that will help benefit even those who are now waiting months for a dental appointment.

In the upcoming holiday season, you may find yourself having difficult conversations with family members, friends, and community members. It is important for all of us to emphasize the evidence-based science and effectiveness of water fluoridation in preventing cavities and improving oral health. We wanted to make sure that you have the tools and resources to have these difficult conversations and have created a new resource that can be used and shared when addressing fluoride levels in water.

The Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health (PCOH) needs support in being able to connect at the community level on this issue, and continues to offer resources to assist individuals and communities in protecting this effective public health measure. Please consider joining the Statewide Water Action Team (SWAT) by emailing nicole@paoralhealth.org.