- 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
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.
Free Oral Health Educational Curriculum: Smiles for Life
Smiles for Life (SFL) is a free online oral health curriculum. The curriculum consists of 60-minute modules covering core areas of oral health relevant to health professionals. The topics are: The Relationship of Oral Health & Systemic Health, Child Oral Health, Adult Oral Health, Acute Dental Problems, Pregnancy & Woman’s Oral Health, Caries Risk Assessment Fluoride Varnish & Counseling, The Oral Exam, and Geriatric Oral Health.
Pennsylvania Releases New Revised Dental Guidance on COVID-19
Recently, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) convened stakeholders to discuss COVID-19 dental guidance and any needed changes. In response, they announced a new Revised DOH Guidelines on COVID-19 for Dental Health Professionals in Pennsylvania. The new guidelines eliminate the negative pressure room requirement, follow CDC recommendations and draw greater distinction between treatment for COVID-19 positive and negative patients.
Treating Children/Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs
The Oral Health Resource Center (OHRC) released “Oral Health Services for Children and Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs: A Resource Guide.” The guide provides descriptions of materials on policy, professional education and practice, program development, and public education.
New from PCOH: COVID-19 Resource Page
The Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health (PCOH) has created an online resource page focusing on COVID-19 information for oral health advocates. The resources are compiled from partners and various other sources. The page will be updated daily with COVID-19 news and webinar offerings.
A Message from State Oral Health Coalition about COVID-19
As the reach of the COVID-19 pandemic intensifies around the state, the PA Coalition for Oral Health (PCOH) is increasingly concerned about access to emergency dental care for everyone in Pennsylvania who may need it. We applaud Governor Wolf for prohibiting elective dental procedures in his statement around life-sustaining businesses last week. It may be increasingly difficult for people to find care as restrictions are announced, and we do have concerns that very few offices in the state will be able to continue providing emergency dental treatment. We are addressing these concerns to those in leadership and continue to work towards a solution to offer palliative care and emergency treatment in the safest manner possible to all who need it.
“What Constitutes a Dental Emergency”
American Dental Association
“Infection Control Guidelines for Healthcare Personnel”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
“Guidance on COVID-19 for Dental Health Care Personnel in Pennsylvania”
Pennsylvania Department of Health