Rural Health Information Hub Latest News

COVID-19 Oral Health Resources for School Nurses Available

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, school nurses may be the only avenue for assuring that children receive oral health screenings and referrals. The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) and the National Association of School Nurses have collaborated to develop resources for school nurses: “Considerations for School Nurses in Return to School: Dental Screenings” and “School Nurses: The Key to Good Oral Health During COVID-19 Infographic.” Please share with any school nurses you know.

Click here to download “Considerations” document.
Click here to download the infographic.

Parent Handouts on COVID-19 and Oral Health Available

The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center (OHRC) released two new resources for parents of young children from the Office of Head Start’s National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness (NCECHW). The handouts provide clear messages with photos about healthy eating and oral hygiene practices at home and about changes to dental offices to promote the safety of staff and patients during COVID-19. The colorful handouts are available in English and Spanish.

Click here to download the English version.
Click here to download the Spanish Version.

A Three Domain Framework to Innovating Oral Health Care Announced

Change in oral health is long overdue and COVID-19 has brought the system’s issues to the forefront. Now is the time for change. PCOH joins more than 110 oral health leaders in support of a new approach developed by the DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement. “A Three Domain Framework to Innovating Oral Health Care” emphasizes overall health as an outcome and is more cost-effective, efficient, and equitable.

Click here to read the white paper.

Nicotine Dependence and Oral Health Professionals

Have you taken the “Nicotine Dependence Treatment Strategies for Oral Health Professionals” course? PCOH’s newly updated course portal makes it easier than ever! Free CEUs are available. Also, if you would like to get connected to the tobacco coalition in your county/region, please reach out to Paula Di Gregory of Nicotine Free Northwest PA  for an introduction. You can also look up your regional tobacco use and prevention cessation primary contractor for the Department of Health below.

Click here to take the course.
Click here to contact Paula Di Gregory.
Click here to look up your regional primary contractor.

Updated Pennsylvania Oral Health Coalition Website Launched

PCOH is excited to share our updated website! While parts of the site may look familiar, there are cool improvements. The new resource page is searchable and has advanced filters so that you can find exactly what you are looking for. The updated course portal provides a more user-friendly continuing education experience. Don’t just take our word for it, check it out!

Click here to visit the website.

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.