Rural Health Information Hub Latest News

New Framework for Transforming Oral Health Care

The DentaQuest Partnership wants to know if you are ready to transform the oral health care system? They are proposing an innovative new Framework that focuses on prevention and healthy outcomes, facilitates value-based payment models, and addresses the deep inequities in care and access. They are inviting oral health leaders to join along with 110 other oral health leaders that have contributed to this framework and are ready for this transformation. Click here to explore the Domains Framework and learn more.

Oral Health Education for Patients and the Chance to Win Prizes

Oral health education, be it in the classroom through school-based oral health or during the well-child visit that many families postponed, has been affected due to the current pandemic. DentaQuest and America’s ToothFairy have developed a program to help bridge that gap – just in time for Dental Hygiene Month. It is the Oral Health Action Hero Challenge that gives children a fun way to learn about good oral health habits – and win prizes – from home. Now until Nov. 9 children can complete three missions to defeat the new super-villain, BioFilm, and his gang of nasty bacteria. Finalists can win a variety of prizes, and the ultimate winner will take home a Nintendo Switch gaming console. Watch a quick video, read the press release and share the registration link with your patients!

UPMC Health Plan Transitioning to SKYGEN USA

UPMC Health Plan will transition to SKYGEN USA for administering dental benefits beginning April 1, 2021 for the following UPMC products:

  • CHIP
  • Medical Assistance
  • UPMC Community HealthChoices (MLTSS)
  • Medicare (select University of Pittsburgh retirees only)
  • Medicare Special Needs Plans
  • Federal Employees Health Benefits.

This means that SKYGEN USA will be responsible for various dental administration processes including, but not limited to contracting, credentialing and processing claims for dental providers participating in any of the mentioned UPMC programs. UPMC will hold the participation contract with dental providers. To continue participation in the UPMC programs listed above, beginning April 1, 2021, you must sign and return a new Participating Dental Agreement with SKYGEN USA. Please Contact SKYGEN USA’s Network Development at 1-800-508-6965 or networkdevelopment@skygenusa.com to do so. Avesis will continue to administer UPMC’s dental benefits for the above product lines through March 31, 2021. If there are dental contracting, credentialing or claims related questions through March 31, 2021, please contact your Avesis provider network representative. These changes will not impact your Commercial and/or Medicare contract with UPMC Dental Advantage. If you have questions in regards to your Commercial or Medicare contract, please email HPDental@upmc.edu or contact UPMC Dental Advantage Provider Services at 1-877-648-9609.

Department of Health Releases Oral Health Plan

Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) released the “Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan 2020-2030.” This is a 10-year roadmap to improve the oral health of all Pennsylvanians. As this plan is implemented, DOH will continue to involve partners and stakeholders to gather feedback, assess continued needs, and incorporate new thoughts and ideas as needed to best support oral health and wellness across the commonwealth. Read the press release.

New Infographics Available for Oral Health Professionals

The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center (OHRC) published two new infographics for oral health professionals. The documents provide information about the benefits of and barriers to preventive dental visits for pregnant women and children and adolescents ages 1-17. The resources can be shared with program administrators and other stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of preventive dental visits to reduce oral health problems and unnecessary treatment expenses.

Click on the below links to download the infographics:
“Preventive Dental Visits for Children and Adolescents are Important!”
“Preventive Dental Visits for Pregnant Women are Important!”

Study Results: Coverage is Critical for Reducing Dental-Related ER Use

A recent study from Community Catalyst highlights the relationship between Medicaid coverage and ER visits for oral health issues. The study found that states that offer Medicaid adult dental benefits and that have expanded their Medicaid programs under the ACA have the lowest rates of dental-related ER use. States that have taken up both of these policy options have also shown a decrease in dental-related ER use over time.

Click here for more information.

New Report: Ventilator-Assisted Pneumonia and the Mouth

A new report from the DentaQuest Partnership looks at the connection between oral health and overall health and further examines ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The report asserts that addressing social conditions, structural racism, access to care, oral health education and other factors may not only improve oral health outcomes but also reduce the risk for COVID-19, VAP and even death in Black communities.

Click here to read the full report.

Gateway Health to Implement Expanded Oral Health Service Credentialing

Gateway Health has implemented Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner (PHDHP) credentialing and network participation. This opportunity will increase access to care for patients in Pennsylvania. For background, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services released a bulletin in 2017 recognizing PHDHPs as providers able to be credentialed and contracted through managed care organizations. The role of dental hygienists across the nation has evolved due to the lack of cost-effective access to preventive oral health care and the need to increase oral health literacy across the nation.

Contact Holly Kauffman for more information or to request an application.

Celebrate 75 Years of Community Water Fluoridation

The American Public Health Association (APHA) and the American Dental Association (ADA) are hosting “A Toast to Community Water Fluoridation – Celebrating 75 Years!” on Sunday, October 25th at 7 p.m. ET. This celebration will serve as an opportunity to highlight the inspiring perseverance of public health partners across the country. There are multiple featured speakers including Rear Admiral Assistant Surgeon General Timothy Ricks.

Click here for more information and to register.

FDA Issues Updates on Dental Amalgam

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided updated recommendations on Sept. 24, 2020 about the use of dental amalgam. The information potentially has a large impact on dentistry and public health dental programs. For more information, visit these links:

However, the American Dental Association (ADA) News reported on Sept. 24, 2020 that the ADA “reaffirmed its position that dental amalgam is a ‘durable, safe and effective’ restorative material in response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Sept. 24 statement that existing evidence shows that dental amalgam is not harmful to the general population and treatment options should be thoroughly discussed by the patient and dentist.”