- Senator Baldwin Introduces HSHS Act to Protect Communities from Hospital Closures
- What to Know about Smoke, Heat and Health
- Tribal Partnership With UW-Madison Combines Ag Research With Indigenous Food Knowledge
- The Rewards of Working as Rural Docs
- Request for Information (RFI): Evolving the Network of the National Library of Medicine
- Dental Therapists, Who Can Fill Cavities and Check Teeth, Get the OK in More States
- Colorectal Cancer Is Rising among Younger Adults. Some States Want to Boost Awareness.
- Rural Hospitals Built During Baby Boom Now Face Baby Bust
- Food Stamps Go Further in Rural Areas — Until You Add Transportation Costs
- CMS Announces Resources and Flexibilities to Assist with the Public Health Emergency in the State of Texas
- CMS Proposes New Payments for Digital Health Under CY2025 PFS Draft Rule
- Improving Public Health by Strengthening Community Infrastructure
- Biden Harris Administration Proposes Policies to Reduce Maternal Mortality, Advance Health Equity, and Support Underserved Communities
- Nearly Half of U.S. Counties Don't Have a Single Cardiologist
- Randolph County, Ill. Turns Unused Part of Nursing Home Into State-Of-The-Art Behavioral Health Center
Submit Comments on Proposed Fee Regulations
The State Board of Dentistry is seeking input on proposed fee regulations. The regulation proposes four changes detailed in the below document. The Board will review comments received at the May 15, 2020 meeting. Please submit all comments to RA-STRegulatoryCounsel@pa.gov and reference 16A04634 (Fees). Submit comments by February 20, 2020.
Click here to view the proposed free regulations.
Click here to submit comments.
Dental Sealants and Community Health Webinar
The American Dental Association (ADA) is offering “Seal the Deal: Dental Sealants and Community Health,” a free webinar on February 6 at 3 p.m. ET. Three dental providers will share their expertise on dental sealants.
Finding a Dental Provider Survey
As the state oral health coalition, the Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health is gathering information on how Pennsylvanians find and get to the dental office. Please take the survey and share the links with your networks. The survey takes less than five minutes to complete and is anonymous. The deadline is February 12, 2020.
Click here to take the survey in English.
Click here to take the survey in Spanish.
Exploring Alternative Payment Models for Oral Health Care
Can alternative payment methods (APM) transform dentistry? Under our current system, the United States pays the most for health care and achieves the lowest performance among comparable countries. The DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement analyzes how this applies to dentistry – and how APMs can make a difference. As more states use their purchasing power to encourage better access, quality and accountability in oral health care for children in Medicaid, growth of APMs will continue in dentistry. Learn how the approach works, as the costs were lower than traditional fee for service models, while utilization was higher in the APM plans. Read the article here.
Confronting the Nation’s Oral Health Crisis
With 61 percent of U.S. adults rating oral health as “fair” or “poor” and 51 percent listing it as their top health concern, there’s no question that our national oral health care system is failing the majority of Americans. Read Confronting the Nation’s Oral Health Crisis.
Medicaid Adult Dental Benefits Increase Access and Reduce Out-of-Pocket Expenditures
Part 2 of a research report from the DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement demonstrates how Medicaid, with its limited dental coverage, significantly improved adults’ access and utilization of dental services, compared to those who lack medical coverage. Read the report.
New Oral Health During Pregnancy Resource from OHRC
The Oral Health Resource Center (OHRC) recently released “Promoting Oral Health During Pregnancy: Update on Activities.” This is the seventh in a series of updates to highlight national, state, and local activities focusing on oral health care for pregnant women. The update includes briefs, guides, handouts, reports, toolkits, and trainings for health professionals and consumers.
New Resource Focuses on Children’s Dental Health
Tiny Smiles, an American Dental Association “Give Kids A Smile Program”, is offering free resources along with Scholastic ahead of Children’s Dental Health Month. There are resources for educators, dental professionals, and medical professionals. Resources include kids’ activities and family topics for use in classrooms and office waiting rooms. All materials are available in English and Spanish and aim to promote the importance of oral health for young children.
75th Anniversary of Community Water Fluoridation
January 25, 2020 is the 75th anniversary of community water fluoridation, a practice that helps significantly improve oral health. Join Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health and other organizations in celebrating this important public health achievement by spreading the word on Facebook and Twitter. The American Fluoridation Society created free graphics to use to promote the anniversary on social media. There will be a “Twitter Storm” on Friday, January 24 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. to celebrate the anniversary. During this time, fill Twitter with community water fluoridation anniversary posts. Be sure to use #fluoride4health75 in all posts!
Report Demonstrates How Medicaid Increases Adult Access to Oral Health Care
Part 2 of a research report from the DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement demonstrates how Medicaid, with its limited dental coverage, significantly improved adults’ access and utilization of dental services, compared to those who lack medical coverage. Click to read about Medicaid, family income and dental services.