- 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?
Just Released! 2024 Progress Update on Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan Outcomes
PCOH recently published “2024 Progress Update on Measurable Outcomes for the Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan 2020-2030.” This resource tracks the efforts of 22 measurable outcomes across three priority areas including in the Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan 2020-2030. The resource identifies a baseline data point, the current status, and 2030 goal for each outcome. Check it out to see how Pennsylvania is doing with improving oral health!
Pennsylvania Oral Health Coalition Published 2023 Impact Report
PCOH is pleased to announce the release of our 2023 Impact Report. Thank you to all of our stakeholders, partners, and funders for making this work possible. We look forward to working collaboratively to improve oral health in 2024 and beyond!
Act Now: Sign on to Improve Dental Care Access for Pennsylvanians with IDDs
Make a difference in dental care inclusivity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Pennsylvania. You have the opportunity to support a crucial initiative that would support equitable access to dental care for the 1 in 4 Pennsylvanians with a disability. The Governor’s Exceptional Medically Underserved Population (EMUP) designation is an opportunity for Pennsylvania to access additional federal funding for vital needs like increasing primary care access, provider loan repayment, incentivized reimbursement, and much more. Lend your organization’s support – sign on today to improve dental care access for Pennsylvanians with IDD.
Click here for more information.
Click here to sign on to the letter.
Community Health Worker Survey on Oral Health Education Launched
The Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health (PCOH) is asking Certified Community Health Workers (CCHW) to complete an Annual Survey on oral health education and CCHWs for 2023. PCOH is a statewide advocacy organization dedicated to promoting the importance of lifelong dental health and CCHWs are key partners in this work. The survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete. For all surveys submitted before February 9, there will be an option to enter a drawing for two $50 Amazon gift cards. Questions? Contact info@paoralhealth.org or visit paoralhealth.org.
New CareQuest Report Highlights Oral-Systemic Interaction
The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health released a new report, Oral-Systemic Interaction and Medical-Integration: A Life Course Approach. The report provides an overview of the bidirectional nature of oral and systemic diseases across phases of life and explores how integrated care delivery improves access and health outcomes.
DANB Announces New Scholarship for Dental Assistants
A new scholarship is now available to help dental assistants launch their careers. The DANB/DALE Foundation Scholarship is now accepting applications. The scholarship is open to dental assisting students and current dental assistants with less than five years of experience. Scholarship funds can be used for education, credentials, and activities or services that improve oral health in groups that historically faced barriers to accessing dental care. Applications are accepted now through March 4, 2024. To learn more or apply, visit DANB’s website.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. This month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated professionals, healthcare providers, and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers, and many others. The 2024 theme is “Healthy Habits for Healthy Smiles.” The American Dental Association has free downloadable posters, postcards, and flyers available on their website. You can also order physical copies of these materials to be shipped.
New Teledentistry Toolkit Available from CareQuest
The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health released a new resource, “Teledentistry Regulation and Policy Guidance: A Toolkit to Promote Access and Quality Care Through Teledentistry.” This resource identifies primary considerations for regulators and policymakers regarding teledentistry and includes key recommendations.
American Academy of Pediatrics Launches New Fluoridation Webpage
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently launched a new fluoridation webpage. It provides numerous downloadable resources for health professionals and families and tackles frequently asked questions including questions rooted in misinformation. The new webpage also includes videos about fluoridation, infographics, and posters that are able to be printed.
Updated Pennsylvania State Health Assessment Report Published
The Pennsylvania Department of Health Office of Operational Excellence recently published the updated 2023 Pennsylvania State Health Assessment (SHA). The report, “The State of Our Health: A Statewide Health Assessment of Pennsylvania,” was first published in August 2023. The report highlights the need for more dentists in Pennsylvania, especially for those enrolled in Medicaid. It also touches on the importance of oral health and dental caries as one of the most chronic diseases in the country. Thanks to the Pennsylvania Department of Health for including PA Coalition for Oral Health as a stakeholder for this important report.