- VA: Solicitation of Nomination for Appointment to the Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee
- EOP: National Rural Health Day, 2024
- Distance, Workforce Shortages Complicate Mental Health Access in Rural Nevada Communities
- Bird Flu Is Racing Through Farms, but Northwest States Are Rarely Testing Workers
- After Helene, Clinician Teams Brought Critical Care To Isolated WNC Communities
- The Biden-Harris Administration Supports Rural Health Care
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces $52 Million Investment for Health Centers to Provide Care for People Reentering the Community after Incarceration
- On National Rural Health Day, Reps. Sewell and Miller Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Rural Hospitals
- Terri Sewell Cosponsors Bill Reauthoring Program to Support Rural Hospitals
- HRSA: Inclusion of Terrain Factors in the Definition of Rural Area for Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Grants
- Celebrating National Rural Health Day
- DEA, HHS: Third Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications
- Public Inspection: DEA, HHS: Third Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications
- CDC Presents a Five-Year Plan for Rural Healthcare
- Talking Rural Health Care with U of M
Newly Updated: Dental Workforce Manual
This updated chapter of the NNOHA Operations Manual provides helpful tools and resources for tackling issues related to workforce in health center dental programs, including recruitment and retention strategies, academic partnerships, and staffing ratios.
Struggling Accessing Oral Health? Share Your Story!
The PA Coalition for Oral Health (PCOH) is collecting stories from all 67 counties around dental issues in our state. We know that many people struggle to find dental care as a basic healthcare need, and we would like to help lend a voice to the changes needed in our system. Only 1 in 4 general dentists in PA accept Medicaid, and many of these are not accepting new patients, or their location requires people to travel for hours to get care. Your story can help us let decision-makers know that change is needed to protect the smiles of all Pennsylvanians. We will share these stories with the Governor’s office, legislators, and the Departments of Health and Human Services to push for changes to the current system.
Please visit the survey link here to submit a story.
New Publication: Oral Health in Patients Experiencing Homelessness
The National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) developed a publication to bring awareness to the intersection of oral health and behavioral health concerns or cognitive impairment in people experiencing homelessness (PEH). The publication shares the impacts of behavioral health illness on oral health and how behavioral health and dental providers can work together to address this intersection in their practices.
New Report: Connection Between Oral Health and Mental Health
A new CareQuest Institute survey found that poor mental health status may be linked to dental fear and delayed dental care. In January and February 2021, CareQuest conducted a nationally representative survey to examine attitudes, experiences, and behaviors related to oral health. Respondents self-rated their mental health and oral health status and answered questions about oral healthcare utilization. Findings from this study showed consistent oral health disparities among those with self-identified poor mental health.
Final Research Plan: Oral Health in Youth and Adults
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) posted the final research plan on screening, referral, behavioral counseling, and preventive interventions for oral health. The draft Research Plan was posted on the USPSTF website for public comment in March 2021 and revisions were made.
Dental Caries Among the Geriatric Population
Scientists have long speculated about the prevalence of dental caries and their potential long-term risk factors among the geriatric population. Recently, the topic was further explored in an article titled, “Caries disease among an elderly population — A 10-year longitudinal study.” The piece was published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene earlier this month.
2021 PA Oral Health Champion Awards: Now Accepting Nominations
PCOH is pleased to announce the 2021 PA Oral Health Champion Awards. Awardees will be selected by the Board of Directors of PCOH, upon recommendation of the Summit Committee, and are based on notable work on oral health progress in Pennsylvania. Awardees will have the option to accept their awards in-person or virtually at the 2021 PA Oral Health Summit on November 12th. All nominations must be submitted by September 27th at 5 p.m.
Award Categories
— Innovative Oral Health Champion (individual)
— Innovative Oral Health Champion (organization)
— Community Water Fluoridation Champion (individual or organization)
WHO Declares Oral Health a Global Health Priority
Oral health may no longer be low on the list of global health priorities. At a May 27 meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO), health ministries around the world approved a resolution that puts achieving better oral health back on the global agenda. Click here to read the article.
Dental Benefit Limit Exceptions (BLE) Process Simplified in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP) recently published a simplified overview of the April changes to the Medicaid Benefit Limit Exception (BLE) process. Individuals can contact PHLP’s Helpline at 1-800-274-3258 or staff@phlp.org for help with a Medicaid dental service denial.
WHO Declares Oral Health a Global Priority
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared oral health a global priority. Health ministries supported a new resolution that urged oral health be included in the noncommunicable disease agenda. The resolution recommended a shift from the traditional curative approach towards a preventive approach that includes promotion of oral health within the family, schools and workplaces, and also a comprehensive and inclusive approach to the delivery of oral health care within the primary health care system. WHO also recommended that oral health care be included in universal health coverage programs. WHO will draft a global strategy on tackling oral diseases for consideration in 2022 and recommend an action plan by 2023.