- 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
Health Policy Institute Updates Dentist Workforce Report
The American Dental Association (ADA) Health Policy Institute (HPI) released an updated report on the U.S. dentist workforce. The report now includes data from 2025 and covers where dentists work, how dental practices are performing economically, and projections about the future of the dentist workforce.
American Dental Association Provides Medicaid Financial Sustainability Toolkit
The American Dental Association (ADA) is dedicated to making improvements to Medicaid access and prepared this toolkit to support dentists who participate in Medicaid.
This document offers policy-grounded guidance and operational strategies to help practices deliver high-quality care while maintaining financial viability. It aligns with ADA advocacy priorities to reduce administrative burdens, improve reimbursement rates, and enhance program design so that participation is financially and professionally suitable for all dentists and beneficial for all beneficiaries.
AAPD and ADA Respond to FDA Recommendation Against Fluoride Supplements
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its recommendation against the use of fluoride supplements for children under age three or any child at low or moderate risk for tooth decay.
Both the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and American Dental Association (ADA) released statements in response. Thanks to the AAPD for this clarification: “The FDA does not have regulatory authority over traditional supplements, like multivitamins. These types of products containing fluoride will remain available.”
Click here to read the AAPD statement.
Click here to read the ADA statement.
Oral Health and Dementia Course Teaches Strategies to Care for Patients with Cognitive Decline
This self-paced course examines Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (ADRD), both of which can complicate the delivery and outcomes of dental care to patients.
Through real-world scenarios and evidence-based strategies, this course equips dental professionals with the tools to recognize and respond to the unique challenges facing individuals with dementia. The course examines how verbal and nonverbal communication techniques can enhance patient cooperation and comfort, as well as how tailored treatment plans can address common oral health issues such as dry mouth, periodontal disease, and oral pain across the stages of cognitive decline.
CATCH Healthy Smiles!
Have you heard of CATCH: Coordinated Approach to Child Health? The Pre-K through 2nd grade program, CATCH Healthy Smiles, improves the oral health of students by teaching and encouraging proper tooth brushing and flossing techniques, tooth-healthy foods and drinks, and regular visits to the dentist.
Youth will learn about oral health through fun activities and characters, and develop skills needed to maintain a healthy smile and well-being. It’s packed with tools like physical activity breaks, bulletin board materials, extension activities for K-2, and more.
Pennsylvania Human Services Adopts AAPD Pediatric Dental Schedule
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services announced an important update for Medical Assistance (MA) dental providers.
Effective immediately, the Department is adopting the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) dental periodicity schedule as the standard guideline for pediatric oral health care. With this change, Pennsylvania now joins 20 other states that have aligned their policies with the AAPD nationally recognized standards, ensuring that MA beneficiaries under 21 receive consistent, evidence-based preventive dental care. This includes the first dental exam by the eruption of the first tooth (and no later than 12 months of age), with follow-up visits every six months or as indicated by individual risk.
Providers should refer directly to the AAPD schedule when delivering services and consult managed care organizations for any billing-related questions. The Department will monitor AAPD updates and issue further guidance as needed.
Click here to review the full bulletin.
Click here to view the AAPD’s schedule.
Pennsylvania Health Department Publishes Report on Sustaining the Oral Health Workforce
The Pennsylvania Department of Health Oral Health Program recently published a report, “Building a Sustainable Oral Health Workforce in Pennsylvania: Strategies for Reinvigorating Dental Careers and Strengthening the Pipeline.”
PCOH assisted with the coordination of this oral health workforce pipeline report. A special thanks also the the Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center, the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, and the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers for contributing. The recommendations presented in this report are intended to guide future efforts to build a strong and sustainable dental workforce pipeline for Pennsylvania, ultimately improving oral health outcomes across the state.
Central Penn College Announces Scholarship Opportunities
The Central Penn College Education Foundation is offering scholarships to help aspiring dental professionals achieve their educational goals. Specifically, the foundation is offering 20 full scholarships for dental hygienists interested in exploring a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management or a Master of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership. The programs are asynchronous so that working individuals can learn on a flexible schedule. These scholarships are made possible through the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation.
Report Summarizes Dental Services in 2024 at Pennsylvania’s Free and Charitable Clinics
The PA Coalition for Oral Health (PCOH) collected and summarized data from free and charitable clinics that provided free dental care to Pennsylvanians in 2024.
Since 2018, PCOH has collected annual data on free dental services in Pennsylvania to help measure the gap between funding provided and services needed, advocate for more state funding for dental services, and encourage participation of dentists accepting Medicaid. Special thanks to the PA Charitable Healthcare Coalition for making connections!
New Report Published: How Insurance Type Shapes Dental Care Spending
The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health recently published a new report, “Lifelong Oral Health: How Insurance Type Shapes Dental Care Spending.” The report examines oral health care spending for individuals aged 0 to 89 years and evaluates differences in spending between Medicaid and commercial insurance plans. The resources also includes an interactive dashboard to explore spending by age, insurance type, and procedure.