|
Healthy People 2020 Includes Oral Health as a Leading Health Indicator
 For the first time in the Healthy People initiative's history, oral health is a leading health indicator (LHI) under its Healthy People 2020 agenda. This recognition reinforces the link between oral health and overall health.
Healthy People 2020 challenges the U.S. to increase the proportion of chlidren, adolescents, and adults who used the oral health care system in the past 12 months by 10% by 2020.
Read more about Healthy People 2020's oral health objectives, interventions and resources
Back to top
|
|
Dental Crisis in Virginia Featured on PBS
Earlier this month, the town of Grundy, Virginia, received national attention when its Remote Area Medical (RAM) Clinic was featured in an episode of PBS NewsHour. The program focuses on Grundy as part of a series that examines dental shortage areas around the country. The piece includes an interview with Virginia Dental Association (VDA) executive director and Coalition board member Dr. Terry Dickinson speaking about the dental issues affecting the region.
Back to top |
|
Division of Oral Health Retains its Status as a CDC Division, Avoids Demotion
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that the Division of Oral Health (DOH) will not be downgraded as a branch of another division, as previously suggested. The retention of the DOH as a CDC division was strongly supported by organizations such as the ADA, ASTDD and others who expressed their opposition to the change. The move to keep the DOH in its current form further reinforces oral health as a priority within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Read the CDC's Oral Health Strategic Plan for 2011-2014
Back to top |
|
Motivational Interviewing Linked to Greater Short-Term Improvement in Oral Hygiene and Patient Satisfaction
 A recent study has shown that the use of motivational interviewing may improve compliance with plaque control among patients with periodontitis. The randomized controlled trial measured the improvement in oral hygiene and patient satisfaction among groups with standard consultation alone and with consultation that included motivational interviewing. After 1 month, the motivational interviewing group showed slightly improved results over the control, concluding that this technique may be useful for counselling-related periodontal disorders.
Read the accompanying article in The Dental Elf
The Coalition is using motivational interviewing to provide oral health educators and dental providers a way to better communicate with patients about oral health.
Learn more about the Coalition's motivational interviewing presentation as part of its Virginia Dental Home Initiative training
Back to top |
|
Oral Health and Overall Health
 Oral health and overall health are fundamentally intertwined. The following links present current research on how oral health affects other health conditions in the body, including:
- Fat loss and improved gum disease
- Dental screenings and lower heart disease
- Oral health in diabetic patients and heart disease/cancer risk
_________________________
Virginia Dental Association to Host Continuing Education "Vacation" in Florida
The Virginia Dental Association (VDA) and VDA Services are hosting a continuing education vacation on February 10, 2012, in Miami Beach, Florida. The program will feature an interactive and entertaining oral pathology continuing education course for dentists, hygienists and assistants, with 7 CE lecture hours.
Visit the event homepage to register
________________________
Back to top |
|
Please visit our website for more oral health information
|
