- 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
- Biden-Harris Administration Releases National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and First-Ever Federal Action Plan
- 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.
- Rural Jails Turn to Community Health Workers To Help the Newly Released Succeed
- Rural Communities Face Primary Care Physician Shortage
- 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
- Promotoras Play Essential Role in Connecting Farmworkers with Health Care in Rural NorCal
- Across the Country, Amish Populations Are on the Rise
- Using Medicaid to Address Young People's Mental Health Needs in School Settings
- Sunsets, Wildlife and Limited Care: Challenges of Aging in Place in Rural America
- City-Country Mortality Gap Widens amid Persistent Holes in Rural Health Care Access
- Tribal Environmental Impact Network
- Minnesota's Rural Ambulance Providers Look to State Capitol for Their Own Lifeline
New Report Released: Fluoride’s Role in Preventing Caries in Adults and Seniors
The American Dental Association (ADA) recently published a white paper, “Fluoride’s Critical Role in Preventing Caries in Adults and Seniors.” This resource was created to share data and insight about the important role of fluoride in managing the needs of adults and seniors. The paper includes the results of an exclusive ADA survey conducted to better understand the oral health risks for adults and shares approaches for dental professionals to help patients prevent dental caries between dental visits.
New Resource Guide Released: Oral Health in Schools
The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center (OHRC) recently published “Promoting Oral Health in Schools: A Resource Guide.” This guide provides information about materials for promoting oral health in schools and features materials on data and surveillance, policy, professional education, program development, and public education.
ADA Survey Report on Teledentistry Released
A new survey report was published from the American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators Panel. The report, “Teledentistry Adoption and Applications,” found that the adoption of teledentistry grew in the past three years, in part because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the technology may be underused. Thirty percent of respondents said they use teledentistry, with 60% of users expressing satisfaction and noting increased access and quality of care, while 60% of those not using teledentistry said there wasn’t a need.
Title V National Performance Measure on Oral Health Resource Announced
The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center recently shared a new resource, “Snapshot of the U.S. Jurisdictions’ Activities Addressing Title V National Performance Measure 13 (Oral Health) During Fiscal Year 2022.” The report presents a snapshot of jurisdictions’ experiences with implementing strategies to promote preventive dental visit for pregnant women, children, and adolescents. Challenges, accomplishments, and technical assistance needs related to each jurisdiction are discussed.
Funding Opportunity Announced for Community Water Systems in Pennsylvania
PCOH is requesting proposals for Community Water Fluoridation Equipment Grants. This grant seeks to issue funds to those public water systems wishing to initiate, update, or expand the practice of community water fluoridation. This funding round gives priority to community water systems that are initiating a fluoridation program. Systems may be at any stage in the initiation process. Systems which have previously received equipment grants from PCOH may apply for equipment updates and replacements, though first-time applicants will receive priority consideration. The maximum request per water system wishing to initiate or currently fluoridating may not exceed $25,000. If funds remain after the first application deadline, a second funding round will be announced.
Applications are due November 9 by 5pm.
Funding for this project is through 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. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by CDC, HHS or the U.S. Government.
New Report Highlights Linkage Between Oral Health and Heart Infection Prevention
The American Heart Association published an article linking oral health to heart infection prevention. The article discussed how good oral hygiene and regular dental care are the most important ways to reduce risk of a heart infection called infective endocarditis caused by bacteria in the mouth.
September is Dental Infection Control Month
September is “Dental Infection Control Month” as recognized by the Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention. This celebration brings awareness to infection prevention and control in dental settings. This year’s theme is “Staying in the Know Together.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides training materials and other resources to increase the knowledge, skills, and ability of dental health care personnel to adhere to CDC guidelines and recommendations.
New ADA Guidelines Released for Treating Dental Pain in Kids
New guidelines concerning treating short-team dental pain in children were released by the American Dental Association (ADA) after being developed by the ADA Science & Research Institute in Chicago, the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, and the Center for Integrative Global Oral Health at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Children having short-term dental pain from extractions or toothache should not be prescribed opioids but rather manage those aches with over-the-counter ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen.
The guidelines align with U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommendations from 2017, which advised against the use of codeine and tramadol in children under age 12.
Crest and Oral-B Launch Communications Campaign
Crest and Oral-B have launched their latest #ClosingAmericasSmileGap campaign focusing on oral care supplies for back-to-school for students. For every Crest or Oral-B product purchased from August 1st to September 30th, Crest and Oral-B will donate oral care supplies to a child in need.
To underscore the critical need for oral healthcare among these communities, Crest and Oral-B have released a “U.S. Kids’ Oral Health Report Card” that sheds light on the shocking discrepancies in access, affordability, and education between low and high-income families in the U.S.
Click here for more information.
Click here to view the report card.
Funding Opportunity! Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan Mini-Grants
PCOH is requesting proposals for the 2023-2024 Oral Health Plan Mini-Grant Program. The purpose of this program is to facilitate the implementation of the goals and recommendations of the 2020-2030 PA Oral Health Plan, as well as to advance the oral health of all Pennsylvanians. Requests may not exceed $4,000.
Applications are due by September 29th at 5 pm.
Click here to view the guidelines.
Click here to apply.
Funding for this project is through the Pennsylvania Department of Health through Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by CDC, HHS or the U.S. Government.