- 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?
Comments Requested on Interventions for Tobacco Smoking Cessation In Adults
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force seeks comments on a draft recommendation statement and draft evidence review on interventions for tobacco smoking cessation in adults, including pregnant persons. The Task Force recommends clinicians ask about tobacco use and connect people to proven, safe methods to help them quit. The evidence is unclear whether e-cigarettes help adults quit smoking. More research is needed on the benefits and harms of using medications to help pregnant people quit. The draft recommendation statement and draft evidence review are available for review and public comment until June 29, 2020.
Pennsylvania Human Services Department Releases Bulletin on PPE Charges
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services released a bulletin on Friday, June 12, with the purpose of advising providers that Medical Assistance (MA, the state’s Medicaid program) beneficiaries may not be charged for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in connection with medical or dental services.
ADA Guidance Released on Patient COVID-19 Exposure After Treatment
Finding out that a patient or close family member has tested positive for COVID-10 after their dental appointment can be a cause for concern for providers and anyone else in the office who may have interacted with the patient during the appointment. The American Dental Association (ADA) created a document to help guide providers through what they should do if someone in the practice tests positive for COVID-19.
Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan 2020-2030 Draft Published
We are pleased to present a draft of the Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan 2020-2030. We invite you to review the document and welcome any comments and suggestions on behalf of yourself or your organization.
Please submit your comments and suggestions using this link.
Comments are due by Thursday, June 25th at 12 p.m.
Keep in mind this is a high-level document. Specific programming and action plans will be established on an annual basis with continuous input from stakeholders.
We hope to continue the conversation and look forward to your participation and support for the implementation of this plan in the coming years.
Click here to view the Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan 2020-2030 Draft.
Click here to submit comments and suggestions.
Updated Pennsylvania Dental Guidance: June 3, 2020
The Pennsylvania Department of Health issued updated guidance for dental providers in the state on Wednesday, June 3.
The CDC’s Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) call last week focused on “Guidance for Dental Settings During the COVID-19 Response.” The call provided a great overview of the CDC guidelines for infection control in the dental office.
Click here to view the 6/3 PA DOH guidance.
Click here to watch the CDC COCA recording.
LGBTQIA+ Network Response Team Survey
The LGBTQIA-network response team with the Oral Health Progress and Equity Network (OPEN) is asking oral health care providers to complete a short survey related to the LGBTQIA community. They want to gain a better understanding of current attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs within the oral health care network. Responses are confidential and participation is voluntary.
OHNEP Releases Document for Oral Health Care at Home
The Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice (OHNEP) out of the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing released a document reminding individuals how to take care of their oral health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The document focuses on at-home oral hygiene regimens to prevent oral health problems.
Nicotine Dependence Strategies for Oral Health Professionals
As a reminder, PCOH is partnering with the Northwest PA Tobacco Control Program to offer “Nicotine Dependence Strategies for Oral Health Professionals.” While we prefer you complete the “Every Smoker, Every Time (ESET)” training prior to tomorrow’s live webinar, we understand that you might not have time. You can complete the training after tomorrow’s live webinar if this is an obstacle. Upon successful completion of both parts, Medicaid providers can complete a Tobacco Registry application and submit to DHS to be authorized to bill for tobacco counseling. If you are unable to attend tomorrow’s live webinar, the recording will be available on PCOH’s webinar portal in the coming weeks.
This two-part course is free of charge with 2.0 CEUs available.
Click here for more information on the process.
Click here to register for tomorrow’s live webinar at 12:30 p.m.
COVID-19 Positions for Health Care Providers in Pennsylvania
The CDC Foundation COVID-19 Corps has posted positions for health care professionals on their website. The available positions in Pennsylvania include: infection preventionist, research associate, contact tracing coordinator, regional coordinator, informatics epidemiologist, and clinical supervisor.
State Dental Patient Guidance Document Released
PCOH and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) have released their newest patient guidance document which has been added to the list of resources from DOH. It is important for all Pennsylvanians with acute dental needs to get proper treatment and feel comfortable doing so.