- Weathering the Storm Together: Community Resiliency Hubs Hold the Promise of Local Self-Sufficiency and Supportive Mutual Aid
- Virginia Tech Researchers Bring Rural Families into the Nation's Largest Study of Early Brain and Child Development
- Expanding Access to Cancer Care for Rural Veterans
- VA: Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee, Notice of Meeting
- Scaling Rural Wellness with Clever Collaboration
- Stroudwater Associates Enhances Rural Healthcare Dashboard with New Data to Support State Rural Transformation Grant Applications
- Harvest Season Is Here: Busy Times Call for Increased Focus on Safety and Health
- HHS Dispatches More Than 70 Public Health Service Officers to Strengthen Care in Tribal Communities
- Wisconsin Rural Hospitals Team up to Form Network
- CMS Launches Landmark $50 Billion Rural Health Transformation Program
- American Heart Association Provides Blood Pressure Kits at Southeast Arkansas Regional Libraries to Support Rural Health
- Broadening Access to Minimally Invasive Surgery Could Narrow Rural-Urban Health Gaps
- Instead of Selling, Some Rural Hospitals Band Together To Survive
- Help Line Gives Pediatricians Crucial Mental Health Information to Help Kids, Families
- Rural Health: A Strategic Opportunity for Governors
Report Highlights the Hidden Costs of Tooth Decay
Cavities aren’t just a bother—tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children and adults, and it’s taking a painful toll on families across Pennsylvania. Check out the latest article from PCOH, “Tooth Decay is a Disease – And It’s Hurting Pennsylvania Families.”
National Survey Launched for Licensed Oral Health Professionals
The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, the American Dental Therapy Association, and the Oral Health Workforce Research Center are asking licensed, practicing oral health professionals to take part in a survey about knowledge, beliefs, and experiences with patient care delivery. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Study Focuses on Expanding Dental Care in Safety Net
A new study conducted by the Oral Health Workforce Research Center examined critical factors influencing the delivery of oral health services at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). The study evaluated trends in oral health services at 1,000 FQHCs nationwide and the results were recently published in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry.
2025 Compendium of Rural Oral Health Best Practices Released
The National Rural Health Association released the 2025 Compendium of Best Practices in Rural Oral Health. This collection contains best practices in programs, models, and policies aimed at enhancing access to quality rural oral health care.
Fluoride Resources Provided by the American Dental Association
The American Dental Association (ADA) Health Policy Institute (HPI) recently published a brief,
“State-Level Costs of Removing Fluoride from Community Water Systems.” Nationally, they estimate that the total five-year increase in dental care costs due to removing fluoride from community water systems is $45.9 billion dollars. For Pennsylvania, the estimated cost is over $1.1 billion dollars.
The ADA also released a series of resources to help combat fluoride misinformation. “Fluoridation Facts” highlights 80 years of research and practical experience to support water fluoridation. See below for several other helpful fluoridation resources from the ADA.
Click here to view the Fluoridation Facts Executive Summary.
Click here to view the full version of Fluoridation Facts.
Click here to view All About Fluoridation.
Click here to view How to Take Action on Water Fluoridation.
Click here to view Fluoride Facts for Water Operators.
New Report Examines School Dental Services and Medicaid Billing in Pennsylvania
We are pleased to announce the release of a new report, “School Dental Services and Medicaid Billing in Pennsylvania.” This PCOH report examines challenges and opportunities related to children’s access to dental care. The project aimed to assess the scope of dental services currently provided in public schools, identify barriers to implementation and sustainability, support schools in serving as access points for preventive care, and advocate for policy changes that would allow Medicaid reimbursement for services delivered in school settings.
This report was made possible through the generous support of the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. We would like to acknowledge the contributions of Corinna Culler, RDH, DrPH, a PCOH consultant who served as the lead author.
School Professional Oral Health Training Toolkit Launched
The Pennsylvania Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics and the Healthy Teeth, Healthy Children Program launched the School Professional Oral Health Training toolkit. This resource is designed to support school professionals in promoting oral health within the school community. The toolkit includes practical guidance, engaging materials, and evidence-based strategies to help integrate oral health into everyday school life. Please consider sharing this toolkit with your school networks and anyone else that would benefit.
Healthy Children, Healthy Teeth Toolkit Launched
Pennsylvania Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics and the Healthy Teeth, Healthy Children program is excited to announce that the School Professional Oral health Training (SPOT) toolkit is now ready to view and share. This comprehensive resource is designed to support all school professionals in promoting oral health within their school communities. The SPOT toolkit includes practical guidance, engaging materials, and evidence-based strategies to help integrate oral health into everyday school life.
New Self-Paced Course Launched on Minimally Invasive Procedures
The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is offering a new self-paced course, “Innovative Pediatric Dental Care: Exploring Minimally Invasive Procedures.” This online course equips dental professionals with the knowledge and tools to integrate evidence-based, minimally invasive solutions into pediatric care. It explores fluoride and silver diamine fluoride applications, atraumatic restorative treatment, and the Hall technique for stainless steel crowns. There is 1 CEU available for dental providers.
Getting Help for Adults Needing Dental Care
Do you work with any individuals who may be elderly, veterans, considered medically fragile, or have disabilities, with no way to afford dental treatments? Through Dental Lifeline Network’s Donated Dental Services program, they may be eligible to receive free dental care. Dental Lifeline Network partners with volunteer dentists and labs in communities to provide comprehensive dental care to qualified adults in need of dental care, at no cost. Individuals can qualify to receive life-changing dental care.