May 16, 2012 [PDF, 45KB]
In this edition, learn about a successful mobile dental unit in Oklahoma, read an update on a fluoride varnish and education campaign in Nevada, and view the Motivational Interviewing webinar held in Kansas in March. Take note of upcoming DHI webinars for Migrant and Seasonal Head Start staff and Spanish-speaking parents. Also, learn about the shortage of dentists in rural regions, why oral health literacy matters, and find out how Oregon Head Start programs use Medicaid records to track dental services.
May 2, 2012 [PDF, 41KB]
This DHI Update features an ABC news story on Medicaid issues and children’s oral health. Read the latest national water fluoridation statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the results of a Head Start parent survey in Delaware. Also, discover how the White Earth Reservation in Northwestern Minnesota solved its problems around access to dental treatment.
April 18, 2012 [PDF, 123 KB]
Find out what DHI is doing in California, Washington, Delaware, and New York. Learn about the fluoride varnish initiative of the Indian Health Service Head Start Program and its impact on children enrolled in Region XI programs. Read an article about a new report released by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation on dental therapists and discover how their care may improve the oral health of young children.
April 4, 2012 [PDF, 40KB]
In this DHI Update, learn how a health insurance exchange rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) affects dental care. Read a clarification on the PIR requirement for answering dental services questions for children enrolled less than 90 days. Examine news of a study about pregnant women and the use of alcohol-free mouthwash. Also, explore what DHI is doing in three states, and get information on the oral health success of the Cherokee Nation Head Start.
March 21, 2012 [PDF, 51KB]
In this issue, learn about the debate over fluoridated water. Review the impact of the completed DHI program in the District of Columbia. Discover how the Pueblo of San Felipe, New Mexico met its DHI goals in the 2010-2011 school year. Examine a national poll that compared differences in juice consumption between kids from low- and high-income families. Read about the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation search for promising practices that increase access to preventive oral health services. This edition also highlights the South Dakota Head Start Oral Health Summit that was held March 1-2, 2012.
March 7, 2012 [PDF, 39KB]
This edition features a front page article in The New York Times that says dentists nationwide report an increase in preschool children with six to 10 cavities or more. Read about a study that discusses the long-term cost estimates and benefits of dental intervention strategies. Explore an abstract that links maternal dental anxiety to children's dental caries and learn about a grant opportunity offered by Tom's of Maine® for five areas across the country with the highest percentage of people living in poverty. This month's newsletter spotlights the states of Indiana and Connecticut.
February 22, 2012 [PDF, 39KB]
Explore how Maryland has improved children's dental treatment as a result of the Deamonte Driver case. Learn what a report on the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act reveals about children's dental care across the country. Get information on state teams in Florida, South Dakota and Puerto Rico and read about two DHI regional oral health consultants in Region 1 and Region 6.
February 8, 2012 [PDF, 56KB]
In this issue, learn about the newly funded collaboration between Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Review the results of the Oral Health Quality Improvement report which includes five recommendations for improving oral health care. Learn what the DHI in Michigan, Nebraska and Oregon are doing and explore a resource that provides tips on building relationships with parents to encourage follow-up dental care for their children.
January 25, 2012 [PDF, 47KB]
Explore this edition for updates on the state activities in Maine and an honor received by the state team leader in New Mexico. Read about a study reporting an increase in hospital emergency department visits by children under age six for dental care. Another study reports about dental practice changes after Continuing Education (CE) training and offers strategies to for improving CE effectiveness.
January 11, 2012 [PDF, 50KB]
This issue features a new paper describing ways to improve oral health outcomes from the American Dental Association (ADA) and offers examples on how states are using the PIR Oral Health Reports. This edition also highlights a recent webinar on how to make the most of Medicaid and CHIP resources. Give Kids a Smile Day is February 3, 2012.
December 21, 2011 [PDF, 95KB]
In this edition, learn about the large decline in children requiring dental treatment in regions serving American Indian/Alaska Native families. Also, get details regarding oral health as one of the leading health indicators for HHS; read about new DHI efforts in Massachusetts, Delaware, and Puerto Rico; and get information about the nine states awarded Race to the Top grants.
December 7, 2011 [PDF, 47KB]
In this issue, meet the new DHI state team leaders from Illinois, Delaware, and Idaho. Learn about the Service Award given to Tennessee's state collaboration director and the latest challenges faced by families in California's Medi-Cal program. Also, explore information about four new resources: "Mighty Mouth," text4baby, teledentistry, and "America's Toothfairy."
November 9, 2011 [PDF, 46KB]
This edition highlights messages from the American Association for Dental Research symposium on the importance of finding new ways to provide prevention and dental service delivery. Explore the oral health assessment findings at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, read what the DHI leaders have to say about the study and check out new resources for programs.
October 26, 2011 [PDF, 54KB]
Meet the two new state team leaders for Arizona and Florida. Read about the DHI Support Projects being planned across 27 states and new research about the effects of fruit and vegetable juices on tooth enamel. This edition's state spotlight features the America's Dentists Care Foundation Missions of Mercy (ADCF MOM) project in North Dakota.
October 12, 2011 [PDF, 76KB]
This issue features the successful Pediatric "Dental Day" held in North Dakota and a continuing education course attended by 80 general dentists and hygienists in Michigan. This edition also highlights DHI and oral health sessions at the Office of Head Start's 1st National Birth to Five Leadership Institute.
September 28, 2011 [PDF, 46KB]
In this issue, read about what DHI state teams are doing in West Virginia, Iowa, and Ohio. Discover how the North Carolina team is building connections between programs and providers through outreach and dental mentorships. Learn about the OHS Leadership Institute session that will focus on "Proven Oral Health Strategies for Your Program," and review the supplementary presentation about dental decay in the AI/AN population.
September 14, 2011 [PDF, 50KB]
Meet state leaders in Indiana, Oklahoma and Puerto Rico and read OHS Director Yvette Sanchez Fuentes' commentary in which she names dental care as a component that supports children's success in school. A new Illinois law will promote dental homes in underserved areas, and a study finds that sugar-free licorice root lollipops help reduce tooth decaying bacteria. Some Arizona Head Start programs and dental providers detail how they've extended children's care through teledentistry, or computer-assisted consultations.
August 31, 2011 [PDF, 48KB]
This edition highlights research that shows caregivers as the main transmitters of harmful oral bacteria to babies and features a follow-up study regarding the effects of dental care on the unborn child. Also, discover which states are in the spotlight this month and read the spring 2011 DHI state launch report.
August 17, 2011 [PDF, 49KB]
Discover two new resources featuring important information about health literacy and motivational interviewing skills that can improve oral health outcomes. Learn about the new Oral Health public awareness campaign to be launched by the Ad Council, and get information on trainings presented by the state of Virginia to dental providers and Head Start educators regarding oral health care for young children.
August 3, 2011 [PDF, 51KB]
Explore this issue for information and resources on EHS and oral health, including a report on EHS teachers' oral health program activities. Don't miss reading the guidelines for dental care during pregnancy. Also featured in this issue is a study of OB-GYNs and dental health. Learn about the new Region 1 Oral Health Consultant.
July 20, 2011 [PDF, 65KB]
Meet new Regional Oral Health Consultants in Regions 4 and 12 and three state team leaders. Learn when and how to submit requests for DHI state support funding. Also featured are protections for Indian children in Medicaid and CHIP and a study showing that higher Medicaid rates mean more dental care for U.S. children.
June 22, 2011 [PDF, 46KB]
Explore this issue for Federally Qualified Health Center handbook updates on contracts between private dentists and FQHCs. This issue also provides information on resources to address oral health disparities in children.
June 8, 2011 [PDF, 46KB]
Get information on the new DHI consulting agreements and meet the new DHI Consultant for Region 8. Also featured in this issue is a study on how dental practices in Cook County, Illinois were less likely to treat children on Medicaid.
May 25, 2011 [PDF, 51KB]
Meet the new DHI state team leaders for Arkansas and Southern California and get information on the release of the RFP for the National Center on Health. This edition also provides a list of resources and contact information for OHS and HSRC staff working on the DHI.
