- 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?
- HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson, Joined by Co-Chair of the Congressional Black Maternal Health Caucus Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, Announces New Funding, Policy Action, and Report to Mark Landmark Year of HRSA's Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces $60 Million Investment for Adding Early Morning, Night, and Weekend Hours at Community Health Centers
- Volunteer Opportunity for HUD's Office of Housing Counseling Tribe and TDHE Certification Exam
- Who Needs Dry January More: Rural or Urban Drinkers?
- Rural Families Have 'Critical' Need for More Hospice, Respite Care
- States Help Child Care Centers Expand in Bid To Create More Slots, Lower Prices
- Rural Telehealth Sees More Policy Wins, but Only Short-Term
- Healing a Dark Past: The Long Road To Reopening Hospitals in the Rural South
- Study: Obstetrics Units in Rural Communities Declining
- Q&A: Angela Gonzales (Hopi), on New Indigenous Health Research Dashboard
- Not All Expectant Moms Can Reach a Doctor's Office. This Kentucky Clinic Travels to Them.
New Self-Paced Course Focuses on Dental Care and Pregnancy Launched
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists created a new self-paced course focusing on the need for routine dental care before and during pregnancy. Pregnant patients experience gaps in care, which can lead to suboptimal perinatal outcomes and overlooked oral health needs. There is 1 CEU available for dental providers.
Pennsylvania Oral Health Coalition Honored with 2024 Highmark Bright Blue Futures Rising Star Recognition
PCOH is thrilled to announce that our coalition has been named a 2024 Highmark Bright Blue Futures Rising Star!
The Highmark Bright Blue Futures Awards Program recognizes extraordinary nonprofit organizations that are advancing health equity across Pennsylvania, western and northeastern New York, West Virginia, and Delaware. The program launched in 2023 as an expansion of Highmark’s corporate giving and community involvement program, Highmark Bright Blue Futures, and was designed to recognize those making significant impact in the community. Nearly 250 organizations applied this year.
Thank you to Highmark for this amazing opportunity!
New Release: State of Oral Health Equity in America 2024
The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health just released key findings from their annual survey, “State of Oral Health Equity in America” and includes perceptions, attitudes, and experiences with oral health from more than 9,000 adults in the United States. Among other findings, the survey found that “adults with less than a high school education were nine times more likely to report seeking dental care through an emergency department than those with a postgraduate or professional degree.” A comprehensive report with additional findings will be released soon.
Just Published! Trauma-Informed Care: The Role of Dental Hygienists
Children and adults with a trauma history are more likely to have poor oral health and increased dental care-related fear and anxiety.
An article from the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health was recently published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene. “Trauma-Informed Care in Oral Health Care: The Role of Dental Hygienists,” examines the critical role of dental hygienists to ensure patients feel heard and make them feel comfortable enough to return for regular dental care.
Health Policy Institute Publishes Dental Education Map
The American Dental Association Health Policy Institute (HPI) developed a map based on data from the Commission on Dental Accreditation’s 2022-2023 Survey of Dental Education. The map includes profile information of each accredited DDS/DMD program in the United States.
Pennsylvania Launches New Oral Health Program Website
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has updated their website. Check out the new look for the Oral Health Program webpage and resources.
Crest and Oral-B Accepting Nominations for Promising Researcher Award
The Crest and Oral-B Promising Research Award promotes and recognizes excellence in oral health research. This annual award provides $5,000 to a promising researcher focused on preventive dentistry. Candidates must be enrolled in one of the following degree programs at an eligible institution: D.D.S., D.M.D., Ph.D. or equivalent, M.P.H., M.S., Advanced Dental Degree, or foreign-equivalent. The application deadline is September 16.
National Pediatric Academy Releases Oral Health Report on Identifying Abuse and Neglect
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published a new clinical report, “Oral and Dental Aspects of Child Abuse and Neglect.” The report contains updated recommendations for physicians on how to identify problems involving a child’s teeth, gums, and mouth that may be signs of physical or sexual abuse or neglect.
CDC Oral Health Leadership Announced
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Oral Health (DOH) announced Gina Thornton-Evans, DDS, MPH has been selected to serve as Director of the Division of Oral Health in the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP).
HRSA Adds New Oral Health Resources
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has added two new oral health resources to their website as part of the “A Healthy Mouth for Every Body” campaign. The new resources highlight the role of oral health during pregnancy and the relationship between oral health and nutrition.