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Monthly Newsletter of the
American Association of Public Health Dentistry
March 2008 |
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AAPHD National Office
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3085 Stevenson Drive #200
Springfield, IL 62703
Send contributions and announcements for Communique by the first Friday of each month to
Becky DeSpain Eden
Newsletter Editor
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Future Meetings
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American Dental Hygienists' Association
June 18 - 25, 2008
Albuquerque, NM
International Association for Dental Research
July 2 - 5, 2008
Toronto, ON
National Dental Association
July 25 - 30, 2008
Detroit MI
American Dental Association
October 16 -19, 2008
San Antonio, TX American Public Health Association
October 25 - 29, 2008
San Diego, CA | |
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Association in Action
Executive Council Ballot. Nominating Committee Chair Kathryn Atchison asks all members to connect to Votenet to vote for 2008 AAPHD Vice President and two members of the Executive Council. You may also connect to the ballot from www.aaphd.org. The ballot is active until April 4 and results will be announced on April 7. You will need your AAPHD member number to log in. It is located on your membership card or call the National Office at 217-529-6941.
Candidates for Vice President are Don Marianos and Ana Karina Mascarenhas. Candidates for Executive Council are Joseli Alves-Dunkerson, Robert Isman, and Susan Reed. Members elected will assume office at the close of Annual Business Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, 2008. 4:30 pm, Hilton Miami Downtown Hotel.
Volunteers Needed for Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). AAPHD is seeking volunteers to serve on the CODA Dental Public Health Review Committee and the Appeals Board. Review Committee members serve as consultants to the Commission and are responsible for the review of all policy matters, site visit reports, progress reports, and applications for accreditation. AAPHD will submit three names for consideration to fill one four-year term. Nominees must have a willingness to commit 5 to10 days per year to Review Committee activities, be actively involved in a dental or dental-related accredited program as full or part-time faculty, and be a member of AAPHD and ADA.
Nominees for the Appeals Board should be willing to participate as a member of the appellate body should it be convened and should NOT be a current member of a dental or allied dental faculty or be employed as a governing board, owner, shareholder of, or consultant to a program accredited by the Commission.
If you are willing to be nominated by AAPHD, please contact Executive Director, Pam Tolson, pam@assn-srvs.comimmediately. Nominations must be accompanied by a current CV.
AAPHD Endorses Florida's Proposed Access to Oral Health Care Act. In a letter to Florida Governor Charlie Crist, President Caswell Evans expressed strong support for the Access to Oral Health Care Act. The bill will help to improve access to care for Florida's low-income and underserved citizens, who are among those at greatest risk for experiencing oral disease and for having their treatment needs unmet. Specifically, the Access to Oral Health Care Act would create a new category of "public health supervision" for dental hygienists to provide direct access to preventive services in public health settings, including the placement of dental sealants. The bill also would enhance the recruitment of dentists to work in public health settings by creating a process for licensure by credentials for dentists from other states who wish to practice in public health settings in Florida. The Access to Oral Health Care Act also would require that two of the seven dentists on the Florida Board of Dentistry have clinical public health experience, which would help ensure that the Board considers the unique perspective of Public Health Dentistry in establishing its policies. To read a complete copy of the letter, click here. | |
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| News Bites
AAPD Partners with Head Start to Address Childhood Caries Epidemic
The Office of Head Start (OHS) has awarded a five-year, $10 million dollar contract to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) to establish dental homes for one million children enrolled annually in Head Start programs. A dental home means that oral health care delivered by dentists through an ongoing relationship that is comprehensive, continuously accessible, coordinated, and family-centered.
Although the initiative will not directly fund any dental services, the AAPD is developing a national network of pediatric and general dentists to partner with local Head Start programs. Teams of dentists and Head Start personnel will be trained in optimal oral health care practices and ways to develop partnerships within their community. AAPD will provide education and training to dentists and allied dental professionals to help overcome challenges that many Head Start families face in trying to get dental care for their children.
"This is a huge step towards overcoming a problem that affects millions of children across the country," said AAPD Head Start Project Director James J. Crall. As one Head Start parent, Keisha Wright, shared, "Without these types of resources provided by Head Start, Medicaid, and other payment sources, it would be extremely difficult to find and afford the support needed to meet my children's health and dental needs. I view this new children's oral health initiative as another means to help remove barriers to obtaining dental services and healthy teeth."
Almeta Keys, a local Head Start Center director, reflected, "The new OHS/AAPD endeavor is indeed best for our children. The initiative's anticipated outcomes are of grave importance and closely align with our overall mission and goals-to provide high quality health and dental services to the children we serve".
Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children: The Foundation of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry will also support the initiative through a generous sponsorship from Johnson & Johnson Healthcare products.
First Comprehensive Database of Human Oral Microbiome Now Online
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) grantees and their international colleagues have launched the first comprehensive database of the oral microbiome, the approximately 600 distinct microorganisms presently known to live in the mouth.
The free online compendium is called the Human Oral Microbiome Database (HOMD). The database is the digital equivalent of an Oxford dictionary of oral microorganisms, providing detailed biological entries for each species and an extensive catalogue of the thousands of genes that these microbes express. The site, located at http://www.homd.org, is overseen by scientists at The Forsyth Institute in Boston and King's College London in England.
According to Floyd Dewhirst, DDS, PhD, a leader of the project and a scientist at The Forsyth Institute, HOMD also introduces the first comprehensive nomenclature system to bring order to the naming of uncultured or previously unnamed oral microbes. A standardized numbering system helps eliminate confusing names and uninformative database designations that have frustrated scientists and sometimes hindered their research.
The database also categorizes each microbe by its 16S rRNA sequence, a distinctive fingerprint of genetic information used for the past two decades to identify microorganisms. This sequence information allows the microbes to be placed in a family tree that shows how they are related to one another. HOMD provides online tools to view and analyze the genes and proteins of organisms for which DNA has been sequenced. Each category of information in the database is interlinked, readily searchable, appropriately annotated, and will be frequently updated to remain current.
Informally called "biology's next revolution," microbiome studies have opened a needed window into the complex microbial communities that occupy most parts of the human body. These studies will define how microbes contribute to sustaining health and, when their community dynamics are perturbed, play a role in common chronic disease, such as dental caries and periodontal disease. In December 2007, NIH launched the Human Microbiome Project that initially will sequence all of the genes, or genomes, of 600 representative microorganisms sampled from microbial communities in the mouth, skin, digestive tract, nose, and female urogenital tract. Additional studies are either under way or under development. "The oral microbiome is currently better understood than those of other sites in the body, such as the intestine," said Bruce Paster, PhD, also at The Forsyth Institute. "Since oral microorganisms appear in infections throughout the human body, the HOMD database certainly will be useful to physicians. Likewise, microbiologists in industry will find HOMD helpful because oral microbes sometimes contaminate food or the drug manufacturing process." |
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In Print
Sealant Report Available from JADA
As a service to dental public health professionals, Evidence-Based Clinical Recommendations for the Use of Pit-and-Fissure Sealants Report and Executive Summary prepared by the American Dental Association's Council on Scientific Affairs is available in open access on JADA Online. The citations for these articles and links to them follow.
Evidence-Based Clinical Recommendations for the Use of Pit-and-Fissure Sealants: A Report of the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs. Beauchamp J, Caufield P, Crall JJ, et al. JADA 2008; 139(3):257-268. JADA1
Executive Summary of Evidence-Based Clinical Recommendations For the Use of Pit-and-Fissure Sealants. A Report of the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs. Beauchamp J, Caufield PW, Crall JJ, et al. JADA 2008; 139(3). http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/jada/reports/report_sealants_summary.pdf
The Effect of Dental Sealants on Bacteria Levels in Caries Lesions: A Review of the Evidence. Oong EM, Griffin SU, Kohn WG, Gooch BF, Caufield PW. JADA 2008; 139(3):271-278. (Corrections will be published in the April 2008 issue of JADA.) http://jada.ada.org/cgi/reprint/139/3/271
Exploring Four-Handed Delivery and Retention of Resin-Based Sealants. Griffin SO, Jones K, Kolavic Gray S, Malvitz DM, Gooch BF. JADA 2008; 139(3):281-289. http://jada.ada.org/cgi/reprint/139/3/281 ADA Division of Science. Dental Sealants: Preventing and Halting Decay. For the Dental Patient Page. JADA 2008; 139(3):380. http://jada.ada.org/cgi/reprint/139/3/380
Materials Expert Denounces Norwegian Ban on Dental Amalgam
In an editorial published in the February issue of the Journal of Dental Research, Derek Jones, Professor Emeritus of Biomaterials, Dalhousie University, and Chair of the International Standards Organization's Technical Committee on Dentistry, denounces new Norwegian regulations governing the use of mercury that will adversely affect the use of dental amalgam not only in Norway, but also in other countries around the world that are contemplating taking similar action.
Jones said, "For the past 20 years, the public has been bombarded by sensational, confusing, and misleading media reports about health issues related to dental amalgam. The public opinion on this issue has been modified by minority, non-scientific views driven and supported by media sensationalism. Mobilization of irrational public fear is the strategy used by lobby groups to pressure governments to change public policy. It is important that governments adhere to scientific principles and base health and environmental policies on sound scientific knowledge. Dentistry is an applied science and needs to bring issues such those dealing with dental amalgam to the attention of governments."
Effective January 1, 2008, the Norwegian government prohibits the production, importation, exportation, sale, and use of substances that contain mercury, including dental amalgam. In the editorial, the author contends that at present no conclusive evidence has been published in the scientific literature to demonstrate a link between mercury vapors from dental amalgam and irreversible neurological disorders or of impaired kidney function. Further, although it is generally accepted that some 50 percent of mercury pollution comes from natural sources, the relative contribution from natural vs. anthropogenic mercury sources remains unclear, and the natural source may be considerably higher. Pollution from dentistry is insignificant compared with that from industrial use and natural sources. This information leads to the conclusion that banning dental amalgam is a political issue that will have no impact on total worldwide mercury pollution.
The editorial is freely available to the public at JDR.
March Literature Search
Abroms, Maibach. The Effectiveness of Mass Communications to Change Public Behavior. Annu Rev Public Health 2008. Abstract.
Arrington, Kimmey, Brewster, et al. Building a local agenda for dissemination of research into practice. J Public Health Manag Pract 2008; 14(2):185-192. Abstract.
Banta, de Wit. Public Health Services and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis. Annu Rev Public Health. 2008. Abstract.
Battrell, Gadbury-Amyot, Overman. A qualitative study of limited access permit dental hygienists in Oregon. J Dent Educ 2008; 72(3):329-343. Abstract.
Dearing. Evolution of diffusion and dissemination theory. J Public Health Manag Pract 2008; 14(2):99-108. Abstract.
Derouen, Hujoel, Leroux, et al. Preparing practicing dentists to engage in practice-based research. J Am Dent Assoc 2008; 139(3):339-345. Abstract.
Donaldson, Everitt, Newton, et al. The effects of social class and dental attendance on oral health. J Dent Res 2008; 87(1):60-64. Abstract.
Dreisinger, Leet, Baker, et al. Improving the public health workforce: Evaluation of a training course to enhance evidence-based decision making. J Public Health Manag Pract 2008; 14(2):138-143. Abstract.
Erwin. The performance of local health departments: A review of the literature. J Public Health Manag Pract 2008; 14(2):E9-18. Abstract.
Fisher-Owens, Barker, Adams, et al. Giving policy some teeth: Routes to reducing disparities in oral health. Health Aff (Millwood) 2008; 27(2):404-412. Abstract.
Flores, Tomany-Korman. Racial and ethnic disparities in medical and dental health, access to care, and use of services in US children. Pediatrics 2008; 121(2):e286-e298. Abstract.
Gautam. Addressing the research-practice gap in healthcare management. J Public Health Manag Pract 2008; 14(2):155-159. Abstract.
Grumbach, Mendoza. Disparities in human resources: Addressing the lack of diversity in the health professions. Health Aff (Millwood) 2008; 27(2):413-422. Abstract.
Hebert, Sisk, Howell. When does a difference become a disparity? Conceptualizing racial and ethnic disparities in health. Health Aff (Millwood) 2008; 27(2):374-382. Abstract.
Holahan, Cook. The U.S. economy and changes in health insurance coverage, 2000-2006. Health Aff (Millwood) 2008; 27(2):w135-w144. Abstract.
Kane, Mosca, Zotti, Schwalberg. Factors associated with access to dental care for children with special health care needs. J Am Dent Assoc 2008; 139(3):326-333. Abstract.
Kingsley, O'Malley, Ditmyer, Chino. Analysis of oral cancer epidemiology in the US reveals state-specific trends: Implications for oral cancer prevention. BMC Public Health 2008; 8(1):87. Read online.
Kressin, Jones, Orner, Spiro. A new brief measure of oral quality of life. Prev Chronic Dis 2008; 5(2). Read online.
Martins, Paiva, Lima-Arsati, et al. Prospective study of the association between fluoride intake and dental fluorosis in permanent teeth. Caries Res 2008; 42(2):125-133. Abstract.
McDonough, Miller, Barber. A progress report on state health access reform. Health Aff (Millwood) 2008; 27(2):w105-w115. Abstract.
Oong, Griffin, Kohn, et al. The effect of dental sealants on bacteria levels in caries lesions: A review of the evidence. J Am Dent Assoc 2008; 139(3):271-278. Read online.
Prochaska, Spring, Nigg. Multiple health behavior change research: An introduction and overview. Prev Med 2008; 46(3):181-188. Abstract.
Raghavan, Aarons, Roesch, Leslie. Longitudinal patterns of health insurance coverage among a national sample of children in the child welfare system. Am J Public Health 2008; 98(3):478-484. Abstract.
Schlotthauer, Badler, Cook, et al. Evaluating interventions to reduce health care disparities: An RWJF program. Health Aff (Millwood) 2008; 27(2):568-573. Abstract.
Smedley. Moving beyond access: Achieving equity in state health care reform. Health Aff (Millwood) 2008; 27(2):447-455. Abstract.
Syme. Reducing racial and social-class inequalities in health: The need for a new approach. Health Aff (Millwood) 2008; 27(2):456-459. Abstract.
Toda, Featherstone. Effects of fluoride dentifrices on enamel lesion formation. J Dent Res 2008; 87(3):224-227. Abstract.
Trairatvorakul, Kladkaew, Songsiripradabboon. Active management of incipient caries and choice of materials. J Dent Res 2008; 87(3):228-232. Abstract.
Wipfli, Avila-Tang, Navas-Acien, et al. Secondhand smoke exposure among women and children: Evidence from 31 countries. Am J Public Health 2008. Abstract. |
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Welcome New and Returning Members
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Donald Chi, DDS
Susan Cote, RDH, MS
Tiffany Feger, BASDM
Shelly File, RDH, BS
Patricia Glasrud, RDH, MPH
Rachel Goldberg, DDS
John R Graves, DDS, MEd
Monica Hospenthal
Mitchell Kang, BS
Frances Kim, DDS, MPH, DrPH
John King, DDS, MPH
Jihyun Lee, BS, MPH |
Elizabeth Lense, DDS, MSHA
Rosita Brown Long, MPH, MS, PhD
Jennifer Barnes McCants, DDS, MSD
Marc Noel
Robin Pendley, BS, MPH
Emily Richmond, MPH
Karen Roth, BSDH, MHSA
Martin Tickle, BDS, MSC, PhD
Janice Burke Touchstone, DMD
Kim Turner, DDS, MBA
Aimee Webb, BSDH | | |
