- Students From Across the State Emphasized the Need for Mental Health Resources in Rural Alaska During a Conference
- The South Was the Center of Rural Population Growth Last Year
- How HHS SUD Confidentiality Regulations Will Impact Rural Providers
- VA Announces Expansion of "Close to Me" Cancer Program as Part of the Cancer Moonshot, Bringing Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Closer to Thousands of Veterans
- Navajo Psychiatrist Bridges Gaps Between Native American Culture and Behavioral Health Care
- Biden-Harris Administration Releases National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and First-Ever Federal Action Plan
- Rural Communities Face Primary Care Physician Shortage
- Rural Jails Turn to Community Health Workers To Help the Newly Released Succeed
- Biden-Harris Administration Takes Historic Action to Increase Access to Quality Care, and Support to Families and Care Workers
- Biden Administration Sets Higher Staffing Mandates. Most Nursing Homes Don't Meet Them.
- Miles for Milk: How Student-Run Grocery Store Reshaped Rural Community's Food Access
- Native Americans Have Shorter Life Spans, and It's Not Just Due to Lack of Health Care
- Using Medicaid to Address Young People's Mental Health Needs in School Settings
- Across the Country, Amish Populations Are on the Rise
- Promotoras Play Essential Role in Connecting Farmworkers with Health Care in Rural NorCal
Pennsylvania Stakeholder Sharing Sessions Announced
PCOH is inviting our stakeholders to participate in “Stakeholder Sharing Sessions” during the month of May. These sessions are in place of the spring stakeholder meetings. PCOH will offer a brief update on our work and attendees will be invited to share their updates and concerns as well. Sessions are limited to 30 participants each in order to foster deeper conversations, so please only register for the one or two sessions you are most interested in attending. Please note that no CEUs are being offered.
Community Outreach & Education Tuesday, May 12
1 pm – 2:30 pm Click here to register.
Oral Health Workforce Wednesday, May 13
9 am – 10:30 am
Click here to register.
Community Water Fluoridation Thursday, May 21
1 pm – 2:30 pm
Click here to register.
Oral Health Access (Safety Net clinics, teledentistry, etc.) Friday, May 22
11 am – 12:30 pm
Click here to register.
Oral Health Policy Wednesday, May 27
9 am – 10:30 am
Click here to register.
Dentistry Post-COVID-19 Friday, May 29
12 pm – 1:30 pm
Click here to register.
2020 Pennsylvania Oral Health Summit Postponed
Due to health and safety concerns, PCOH has made the proactive decision to postpone the 2020 PA Oral Health Summit originally scheduled for November 12-13, 2020. We are eager to connect in-person with our stakeholders as soon as it is safe and makes sense to do so. We are working on rescheduling the Summit for 2021.
Revised ADA and CDC Dental Guidelines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated infection and control guidance for dental settings and the American Dental Association (ADA) has released their Return to Work Interim Guidance Toolkit. This interim guidance recommends measures to help protect patients, staff and dentists from COVID-19 as dental practices re-engage in providing the full range of oral health care and they will update it regularly. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has not yet released their updated dental guidance, but it is forthcoming.
Pennsylvania Gives Dentists and Dental Hygienists Alternatives to Live-Patient Clinical Licensing Exam During COVID-19 Emergency
The Pennsylvania Department of State requested, and Governor Wolf approved, several waivers/suspensions related to the clinical licensure examinations for both dentists and dental hygienists who have just graduated or are about to graduate.
PCOH Recognized by ASTDD for Best Practice Approach
The Pennsylvania Coalition of Oral Health (PCOH) has been recognized by the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) as an example of the best practice approach to State and Territorial Oral Health Programs and Collaborative Partnerships. We are proud to share the story of the origins and evolution of PCOH into the thriving coalition that it is today. Thank you to our stakeholders, old and new, for your contributions to this success.
ADA Return to Work Interim Guidance Toolkit
The American Dental Association (ADA) has released their “Return to Work Interim Guidance Toolkit.” The interim guidance recommends measures to take to help protect patients, staff, and dentists from COVID-19 as dental practices re-engage in providing the full range of oral health care. The toolkit will be updated regularly.
PCOH Announces CWF Equipment Grant Awardees
The Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health (PCOH) is pleased to announce the recipients of grants totaling $153,250 in the inaugural round of our Community Water Fluoridation (CWF) Equipment Grant Program. The CWF Equipment Grant Program issues grant funds to community water systems wishing to initiate, update, or expand the basic public health practice of community water fluoridation. By supporting the public health measure of water fluoridation, PCOH seeks to improve the overall health and well-being of Pennsylvanians served by community water systems. Congratulations to each of the grantees! PCOH is honored to support the work that water systems are doing throughout PA to provide optimally fluoridated water to their residents.
The awardees are:
- Erie Water Works
- Downington Municipal Water Authority
- Harrison Township Water Authority
- Greenville Water Authority
- Reading Area Water Authority
- Sewickley Water Authority
- Shippensburg Borough Authority
This program is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Grant NU58DP006467: Using Surveillance Data and Evidence-based Interventions to Improve Oral Health Outcomes in Pennsylvania and administered by PCOH.
ADA Offers PPE Guidance As States Consider Reopening
The American Dental Association (ADA) has released interim guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE) for states considering reopening dental practices. The interim guidance focuses on the PPE recommended in order to practice during this pandemic and minimize the risk of virus transmission.
Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Practices
The Health Policy Institute (HPI) is conducting a bi-weekly survey of dental providers across the country to gauge the impact of COVID-19 on dental practices. According to the April 6th survey, 29.4% of PA dental practices are closed and not seeing emergency patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, 57.2% of PA dental offices are not able to pay their staff at all during this time. A recording of “How is COVID-19 Impacting the Dental Care Sector” is available at the link below and discusses the data.
Click here for the webinar recording.
Click here for more information.
Click here for Pennsylvania-specific information.
Pennsylvania Releases Teledentistry Guidelines Related to COVID19 for Dentists, FQHCs and RHCs
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) released teledentistry guidelines for dentists, FQHCs and RHCs. The guidance encourages the use of teledentistry when available. On March 26, 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) issued revised Guidance on COVID-19 for Dental Health Care Personnel in Pennsylvania, which directs facilities to cease all dental treatment except urgent and emergency procedures.