- CMS: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2026
- CMS: Medicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2026
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Fiscal Year 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
- CMS: Request for Information; Health Technology Ecosystem
- VA: Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program Funding Opportunity
- State: 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: J-1 Visa Waiver Recommendation Application
- Public Inspection: CMS: Request for Information: Health Technology Ecosystem
- HHS: Request for Information (RFI): Ensuring Lawful Regulation and Unleashing Innovation To Make American Healthy Again
- VA: Solicitation of Nominations for the Appointment to the Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs
- GAO Seeks New Members for Tribal and Indigenous Advisory Council
- VA: Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program Funding Opportunity
- 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
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.
Teledentistry: Connecting Rural Communities to Dental Care
This resource summarizes a report that found rural Americans are more likely to experience tooth decay than their urban counterparts. It explores teledentistry as a solution to addressing the disparity and discusses states that have introduced legislation to establish teledentistry and expand access to oral health services. Read more here.