- Telehealth Study Recruiting Veterans Now
- USDA Delivers Immediate Relief to Farmers, Ranchers and Rural Communities Impacted by Recent Disasters
- Submit Nominations for Partnership for Quality Measurement (PQM) Committees
- Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation of the Medicare Program (Executive Order 14192) - Request for Information
- Dr. Mehmet Oz Shares Vision for CMS
- CMS Refocuses on its Core Mission and Preserving the State-Federal Medicaid Partnership
- Social Factors Help Explain Worse Cardiovascular Health among Adults in Rural Vs. Urban Communities
- Reducing Barriers to Participation in Population-Based Total Cost of Care (PB-TCOC) Models and Supporting Primary and Specialty Care Transformation: Request for Input
- Secretary Kennedy Renews Public Health Emergency Declaration to Address National Opioid Crisis
- Secretary Kennedy Renews Public Health Emergency Declaration to Address National Opioid Crisis
- 2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Proposed Rule
- Rural America Faces Growing Shortage of Eye Surgeons
- NRHA Continues Partnership to Advance Rural Oral Health
- Comments Requested on Mobile Crisis Team Services: An Implementation Toolkit Draft
- Q&A: What Are the Challenges and Opportunities of Small-Town Philanthropy?
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.
Dental Workforce Numbers Continue to Plague Pennsylvania
The PA Coalition for Oral Health (PCOH) recognizes the dental workforce challenges facing our state and is currently working with private consultants and student interns to do a complete analysis of the extent of these issues, both for licensees and Medicaid providers. Be on the lookout for upcoming webinars throughout the remainder of the year when we will share our findings.
Tips from Former Smokers® Campaign Launch
2022 marks the 10th anniversary of the Tips From Former Smokers® (Tips®) campaign from CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health. This year, ads will appear on network broadcast television and national cable television, Monday–Friday, from February 28 to March 27. Ads will feature Christine B., who quit smoking after she was diagnosed with oral cancer. CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health has developed an online toolkit that includes images and messages about the campaign. CDC Tobacco Free Twitter and Facebook accounts will also be sharing more about Christine B.’s story throughout the month. Dental professionals can play a critical role in helping their patients quit tobacco use. We encourage you to learn more about the Tips® campaign by accessing the toolkit and engaging with the social posts. Learn more.
Dental professionals can also learn effective strategies on how to talk to patients about tobacco use and referring to QuitLine resources by taking Integrating Nicotine Dependence Treatment with Oral Health: For Dental Professionals (INDTOH). This free, two-part webinar series is hosted by PCOH and presented in partnership with Nicotine Free NWPA and includes 2.5 CEUs.
Mission of Mercy in Pennsylvania (MOM-n-PA) Volunteer Registration Now Open!
MOM-n-PA is an annual two-day free dental clinic for Pennsylvanians who cannot afford dental care. MOM-n-PA provides dental care for the relief of pain to thousands of the most needy, many of whom are from working families who do not have access or cannot afford dental insurance.
This year’s event will be held in York, PA on June 10 and 11, 2022.