TxOHC Fall Webinar Schedule
We are excited to continue our fall webinar series with Dr. Paras Patel, DDS. The second webinar, “Oral Manifestations of Systemic Diseases and Conditions” will be held on Friday, October 8, 2021, 12:00-1:00 PM CDT for 1.0 hour of continuing dental education credit.
This course will focus on those manifestations of systemic diseases and conditions that are common to the oral cavity and in some cases may be the herald for the underlying disease process. While many of the diseases and conditions that will be discussed require a team approach to management, we will briefly cover treatment options that are relevant to the oral healthcare provider.
Registration is complimentary but required at https://bit.ly/108Wbnr to receive your webinar link and passcode.
To learn more about our featured speaker, course description, and learning objectives, please visit
https://txohc.org/education/patel-lecture-series/.
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Special Needs Facility Needs Dentist
in Abilene, TX
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ASTDD Policy Statement:
Reducing Opioid Prescribing by Oral Health Professionals
September 23, 2021
The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) released a new policy statement, "Reducing Opioid Prescribing by Oral Health Professionals." According to the policy statement, dentists have been identified as the second most frequent prescribers of opioids after family physicians.
Furthermore, "this ASTDD Policy Statement offers relevant data and highlights policies and strategies that have been implemented to reduce prescription of opioids in oral health care. ... ASTDD supports state and territorial level actions and activities reflecting national policies to reduce opioid prescriptions for dental and oral conditions. State and territorial oral health programs can encourage healthcare provider and public education, resource development, and prescription monitoring."
TxOHC is pleased to offer two complimentary self-instructional videos for dental prescribers to gain 1.0 CDE each. Please see below for additional details about both courses.
Read the full policy statement here. |
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Navigating Challenging Patient Conversations
TxOHC recently collaborated with the University of Texas Center for Health Communication to provide free continuing dental education for two self-instructional 1.0 hour video courses for dental prescribers on the TxOHC and Prescription Monitoring Program websites.
The second self-instructional course, “Maximizing Your Limited Time: Navigating Challenging Patient Conversations” is now live.
To learn more and access either complimentary video course, please visit https://txohc.org/education/pmp-webinar-series/.
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Advancing the Texas Oral Health Network
The Texas Oral Health Coalition is excited to announce the formation of the San Antonio Oral Health Coalition. Dr. Rebecca Davenport, DDS and Dental Director for the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has graciously offered to serve as the coalition coordinator for San Antonio. If you are interested in joining the San Antonio Oral Health Coalition, please complete the sign-up form to join their email list at https://txohc.org/rohn-signup.
The expansion of our regional oral health coalitions is in response to our members’ interest to participate more fully in workgroups or activities that benefit disenfranchised members in their local communities. We are reaching out to current and previous members, friends, and colleagues to cordially invite you to join your local network so you may begin to encourage collaboration to foster whole-person health, eliminate oral disparities and address inequalities for residents in your community.
While TxOHC provides backbone support and technical assistance, each regional network decides their own organizational structure, priority areas, and meeting agendas. We are not here to govern but to provide assistance and information for you so that you may build a diverse and inclusive network to share resources and research, connect interdisciplinary teams, support health advocacy, and discuss access issues.
We would also like to take this opportunity and announce a recent change in coordinators for the North Central Texas Oral Health Coalition. Ms. Gabriela Machado, MPH was accepted into nursing school this fall but found a wonderful replacement with Ms. TeAnna Culberson, MPH who resides in Dallas and is the current orthodontic treatment coordinator for Ideal Dental. I know you all will join me in sending best wishes to Gabriela and a warm welcome to TeAnna.
All regional coalitions will meet virtually between 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM CST via Zoom during the TxOHC quarterly member meeting on Friday, November 19, 2021.
- Austin Oral Health Coalition – Sohini Dhar, DDS, MPH
- Houston Oral Health Coalition – Teresita Ladrillo, DMD, MPH
- North Central Oral Health Coalition – TeAnna Culberson, MPH
- San Antonio Oral Health Coalition – Rebecca Davenport, DDS
If you are not sure whether you signed up to join a local coalition, please complete the signup form linked above and below to get on their email list and be on the lookout for a Zoom meeting evite next week. Please make plans to join us on November 19, 2021, to learn more about any of the regional coalitions. For meeting attendees not located in one of these regions, please join us in the main room for a lively discussion about different oral health topics.
If you should have any questions or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to seeing you in November.
Regional Oral Health Coalitions Signup Form |
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Announcing New Member Categories for 2022!
TxOHC new membership structure to begin January 1, 2022
- Associate or Student Member: No fee
Individuals or organizations who support the mission of the organization may attend coalition meetings, volunteer time, and receive communication.
- Active Member: $50 / year
An individual person at-large may join the coalition unaffiliated with any specific organization. This person speaks and votes on his/her own behalf and volunteers independently.
- Organizational Member: $150 / year
An organization, institution, or agency may support the coalition as an entity, and designate one contact to represent the organization's commitment to the coalition. This person speaks and votes on behalf of his/her organization.
TxOHC provides opportunities for members to:
- Share your strategies with peers and learn innovative approaches from early adopters.
- Lead your community toward equitable oral health with advocacy efforts.
- Contribute your knowledge to publications and scientific resources.
- Connect with other advocates through events and member-only opportunities.
- Access support through professional development, advocacy training, and peer networking.
- Stay connected to funding opportunity notices, webinars, workshops, and employment leads.
Make your voice heard. Mobilize your community.
Learn more about our new member benefits and join TxOHC today at https://txohc.org/get-involved/membership.
New members joining the Associate/Student member category can complete the online membership application now and be good through December 31, 2022.
New Member Form
New members joining the active member category in October will be prorated through 2021 and the full year added for 2022.
Current members can renew online any time after October 1, 2021. Renew Membership
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TxOHC Member Announcement
We are pleased to welcome the following new members who joined in September.
- Salma Elwazeer, BDS, MDS, MPH
Assistant Professor, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC)
El Paso, TX
- Veronica Evans
UTHSC Houston, School of Public Health
San Antonio, TX
- Susan Gonzalez
Member Advocate Specialist, DentaQuest
Beaumont, TX
- Jennifer Meyer Bankler, DDS
Private Practice
San Antonio, TX
- Sehej Kaur Hara
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, UTHealth School of Public Health Epidemiology
Houston, TX
- Ana Candia Solari Neumann
Professor, UT Health School of Dentistry at Houston
Houston, TX
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National Hispanic Heritage Month
While in the midst of National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), we recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. While there is much to celebrate, this month also offers us the chance to recognize that despite the fact that Hispanics or Latinos are the largest racial/ethnic minority population in the U.S. they are also three times as likely to be uninsured as non-Hispanic whites.
The Access to Care and Insurance Status Texas Data Dashboard, shares the rate of health insurance coverage for children and adults and the percentage of children and adults with a dental vist in the last year. Adults who are Hispanic were more at risk of not having dental insurance (27.29%) and having unmet dental needs (27.8% had a dental visit in the last year). TxOHC is committed to understanding the disparities and working on solutions to address them.
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Dental Benefit in Medicare Part B Resources
-- Medicaid Adult Dental Benefit Learning Collaborative (MADBLC)
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Medicaid Adult Dental Services
Benefit AI/AN People
“Making adult dental services mandatory in Medicaid would expand access to dental care for millions of low-income AI/AN people outside the tribal health system, while improving the ability of tribal health systems to meet the oral health needs of their patients. "A new issue brief from Community Catalyst, calls out the inequities American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) people face in accessing dental care. Leaders from Native American Connections, National Indian Health Board, and Southern Plains Tribal Health Board contributed to this issue brief that outlines the health and income disparities AI/AN people experience and the responsibilities the federal government has under treaty obligations to provide for the health of AI/AN communities.
New legislation in Congress called the Medicaid Dental Benefits Act would make comprehensive dental benefits universally available to all Medicaid beneficiaries. The brief points out, “This (legislation) is particularly important for equitable access within AI/AN communities, as many tribal nations span more than one state.”
-- ASTDD
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NIHCM Oral Health & Health Equity Infographic
The National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation recently published an Oral Health & Health Equity Infographic.
"Gum disease remains one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the United States with 46% of adults over 30 showing symptoms. Although significant improvements have been made to improve oral health in America, many people still experience barriers to preventive or essential dental care. Black Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans, as well as low-income populations, children, and pregnant women, are at greater risk of oral health diseases. The disparities experienced by these populations have only been exacerbated by the pandemic.
This infographic highlights the challenges to achieving optimal oral health and identifies opportunities for advancing health equity moving forward."
View the full infographic here.
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Fluoride Exposed
is the New Host for Fluoride Science
Fluoride Exposed is the new host for Fluoride Science. FluorideScience.org - by the Center for Fluoride Research Analysis - is produced by an independent board of experts in the field. It has been an invaluable resource for topic summaries, critical appraisals, reviews, commentaries, and interviews on fluoride research. Last year, the site had gone down, and was without hosting. Fluoride Exposed partnered with the editorial board to provide a space for Fluoride Science's excellent work to remain up and secure on the web - all while the Fluoride Science editorial board retains its independence. Fluoride Exposed provides technical know-how in re-publishing the unpublished articles and maintaining the web infrastructure. The Fluoride Science editorial board provides the scientific know-how in the critical appraisals and reviews they have conducted. Currently, five of Fluoride Science's topic summaries are back up - on Bone Cancer, Dental Caries, Enamel Fluorosis, Endocrine Disorders, and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Four of the articles on specific fluoride research papers are back up, and one of the most important resources, the Fluoride Science review of the anti-caries mechanism of fluoride, which is unique on the web as a public review of the mechanisms and their evidence. In the coming weeks, Fluoride Exposed will re-publish even more of Fluoride Science's original materials - signup for updates from Fluoride Exposed here to keep posted on resources that go back up and other updates on Fluoride Exposed science communication work: https://fluorideexposed.mailchimpsites.com/.
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Promote COVID-19 Vaccine for Pregnant People
Please work in your communities to promote COVID-19 vaccines for all people 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, recently pregnant (including those who are lactating), trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.
Last week, the CDC issued a specific Health Advisory recommending urgent action to increase COVID-19 vaccination among this population. Despite this CDC recommendation and evidence indicating that COVID-19 vaccines are both safe and effective during pregnancy, currently only 31% of pregnant people overall are fully vaccinated prior to or during pregnancy. That percentage drops to 15.6% for pregnant non-Hispanic Black women, revealing persistent health inequities.
Compared to non-pregnant people, pregnant and recently pregnant people infected with COVID-19 are at increased risk for severe illness (including hospitalization, intensive care admission, mechanical ventilation, and even death). COVID-19 infection in pregnant people may also increase the risk of preterm birth.
CDC’s updated guidance on COVID-19 Vaccines While Pregnant or Breastfeeding includes:
- COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.
- Evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been growing. These data suggest that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy.
- There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men.
- Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people.
- Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can protect you from severe illness from COVID-19.
Reference CDC’s updated guidance on the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, and take steps to implement CDC’s recommendations as outlined in the Health Advisory.
The general public and healthcare providers can also access the MCHB-funded resource MotherToBaby via chat, text, phone, and email to receive up-to-date, evidence-based information on the effects of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
-- National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center
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Texas COVID-19 Vaccination Update
According to the Texas Health and Human Services | Texas Department of State Health Services as of 10/4/2021 approximately:
- 72.05% of Texans age 12+ have been vaccinated with at least one dose
- 62.10% of Texans age 12+ have been fully vaccinated
- 87.77% of Texans age 65+ have been vaccinated with at least one dose
- 79.34% of Texans age 65+ have been fully vaccinated
Please encourage your friends, colleagues, and family members to get fully vaccinated as quickly as possible. To locate where they are administering COVID-19 vaccinations nearest you, please visit https://www.vaccines.gov/search/ and type in your zip code.
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Register Now for the
2021 OPEN National Meeting
The 2021 OPEN National Meeting "Building the Future—Together!" is now virtual only on October 20 and 21, 2021. The two days will provide an opportunity to connect, learn, share, and network.
Here are five reasons you should register for the 2021 OPEN National Meeting today:
- Learn how the brand-new science of networks informs us about behavior and social change
- Explore our new strategic framework and where your local, state and national level work aligns
- Celebrate our collective success and review our accomplishments over the past several years
- Hear about what is happening in oral health on the federal level
- Network with other oral health champions, leaders, advocates and stakeholders
Learn more about this event and register here.
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Call for Presenters
The Texas Oral Health Coalition is excited to continue hosting monthly webinars in 2022 with different topics and presenters on the second Friday of each month during the noon hour, 12:00 - 1:00 PM CT. These live webinars will offer 1.0 of continuing dental education for each course.
If you are interested in sharing your research or dental passion, please complete and submit the linked documents below for consideration.
Financial Disclosure and Bio
Speaker Proposal Submission
Please send forms to Beth Stewart .
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TxOHC Quarterly Member Meetings
Save the Dates
The Coalition will continue hosting quarterly member meetings on the third Friday of the month from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM. We will have a national and/or state speaker and then go into topic area breakout rooms for deeper discussions.
- Friday, November 19, 2021
- Friday, February 11, 2022
- Friday, May 13, 2022
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Donate to TxOHC
Make plans to give to your favorite nonprofit either with AmazonSmile by choosing TxOHC as your cause as you do your online shopping, or by the donation button below.
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