In this issue:

2005 ANNUAL DENTAL CHAMPION AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

At the recent annual conference in Hutchinson, Oral Health Kansas recognized an Andover dentist and a Wichita organization for their efforts in improving oral health for Kansans.

David Foley, DDS

Dr. Foley was recognized for the exemplary service he has provided through the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita Medical Practice Association HIV Program. Mary Fusco, the Administrative Coordinatorof the program said, "Dr. Foley and his staff are wonderful, caring for each and every patient with the utmost compassion and respect." Before Dr. Foley's involvement, the program served 28 patients a year. This year, the program is on target to serve between 250 and 300 individuals. In addition to serving patients, Dr. Foley has also been a strong advocate with his colleagues for providing care to HIV positive individuals and by raising both awareness and funds for the program.

Sedgwick County Health Department Children's Dental Clinic

The Children's Dental Clinic in Sedgwick County has provided dental services to uninsured children for 30 years. In cooperation with the Dental Hygiene Program at Wichita State University, over 500 newly identified children are cared for in the clinic each year. Services are all provided with the donated time of 34 dentists and oral surgeons in the community. Christy Hillard, Clinic Supervisor, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. CONGRATULATIONS! Back to menu

NEW CLINIC AND SCHOOL OF DENTAL HYGIENE OPENS IN PITTSBURG

Through a truly collaborative effort, the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas and Fort Scott Community College have partnered on the expansion of dental resources available to Kansans.

As part of the partnership, the new, full-service dental clinic opened its doors at the beginning of August 2005. The full-time clinic is staffed by one or more dentists and provides services based on ability to pay, with a target population of uninsured and Medicaid children and low-income and/or elderly adults. The clinic hopes to provide care for more than 6,200 low-income patients annually.

Within the same facility, the clinic is also operating a two-year dental hygienist training program. The first class of twelve students started their training in August as the clinic opened its doors for the first time. The dental clinic serves as the clinical training site for both the first year and second year students.

Through this collaborative relationship, both programs will immediately meet their primary goals of serving a very needy underserved population, addressing the critical shortage of dental professionals in the region and training students for well-paying, critically needed positions. Back to menu

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: THE KANSAS DENTAL BOARD SEEKS A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Kansas Dental Board is seeking a vibrant, talented, highly qualified Executive Director. Applications are being solicited now through October 28th. Finalists will be interviewed on November 18th, and the new ED will begin

work on December 19th. Click the link to view a copy of the position description. A letter of application with detailed resume should be mailed to the Kansas Dental Board office at 900 SW Jackson, Landon S-564, Topeka, Kansas 66612. Salary is negotiable based on background and experience but in no case will exceed $55,000. Please pass this announcement along to anyone you think might be interested. Back to menu

EXTENDED CARE PERMITS: AN UPDATE

As of September 2005, the Kansas Dental Board reports 33 hygienists with an Extended Care Permit.

Oral Health Kansas has sponsored several workshops across Kansas to provide hygienists with factual information and materials to encourage their participation in providing hygiene services in community settings. To date, more than 90 hygienists have participated in at least one of the workshops.

At the recent Oral Health Kansas Annual Conference in Hutchinson, hygienists and their community partners had the opportunity to learn from hygienists already operating successful community services. Kathy Hunt, RDH, described the details of her Healthy Smiles school-based program and Maggie Smet, RDH, took time to explain all the details of her services to seniors in long-term care facilities.

In addition to the workshops, Oral Health Kansas has developed an Extended Care Permit Toolkit with self-assessment materials, sample agreements with sponsoring dentists and extended care sites.

For information about Extended Care Permits and guidance about starting up an ECP hygiene service, please email Marcia Manter at mmanter@aol.com.

See future training opportunities listed below. Back to menu

EXTENDED CARE PERMIT TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES ANNOUNCED

Oral Health Kansas has announced two workshop opportunities to learn about:

• the Extended Care Permit (ECP) law
• financial management
• equipment and materials
• sponsoring dentists
• ECP sites for hygienists
• details about school-based and long-term care ECP initiatives

Presenters include hygienists successfully operating ECP hygiene services, a Kansas ECP specialist, and a financial management specialist.

Dates, times and locations:

Training #1: Topeka, Kansas

Date:
Saturday, November 19, 2005

Location:
To be announced

Time:
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Training #2: Emporia, Kansas

Date:
Saturday, December 3, 2005

Location:
Flint Hills Community Health Center / Lyon County Health Dept.
420 W. 15th
Emporia, KS 66801

Time:
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Cost:

• OHK Member: $60
• Non-member: $85 (You will receive an OHK membership with your fee.)

Note: ECP community partners are free if accompanied by a Kansas Registered Dental Hygienist.

Application has been made to the Kansas Dental Board for continuing education credit.

For more information about the workshop and the registration process, please e-mail Marcia Manter at mmanter@aol.com. Back to menu

KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION RELEASES REPORT THAT EXAMINES MEDICAID DENTAL CUTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

The following alert was provided by the Kaiser Family Foundation: Although research has increasingly recognized the importance of dental care and coverage for overall health and well-being, adult dental benefits are often one of the first targets of Medicaid

• In FY2004, 100,000 fewer MassHealth adult enrollees received dental services reimbursed by MassHealth than in FY2001, the year prior to the reductions;
• The number of private dentists actively treating MassHealth patients declined after the reductions, and dental directors at community health centers (CHCs) said that they did not have the capacity to deal with large numbers of new patients;
• MassHealth enrollees and providers reported an increase in untreated dental problems and a reduction in corrective and restorative treatments for MassHealth enrollees;
• MassHealth enrollees described living with pain, diminished self-esteem, and negative effects on employment and their families' finances due to dental problems; and
• The dental benefit reductions resulted in savings of less than one percent of the state's share of total program spending, and some dental costs appear to have been shifted to other areas.

To see how the fifty states compare in providing dental benefits to their Medicaid population, visit their updated Medicaid Benefits: Online Database.

We hope you find the new report useful. If have questions or would like to pursue this issue further, contact kcmu@kff.org.
____________________________
If you know anyone who would be interested in this alert, please pass it on. Back to menu

There are many opportunities to get involved in the work of the coalition. We hope our committee structure encourages involvement-and, there is something for everyone.

Anyone who is a member of Oral Health Kansas can participate in the following committees:

• Education Committee: The committee is currently looking at oral health curriculum options for the state of Kansas and will soon be creating an oral health "rubric" to be included in information provided to all school districts regarding the new health education standards passed by the state.
• Children's Oral Health Coalition: A subset of the larger coalition, this group has created its own mission statement: individuals working together as part of Oral Health Kansas to meet and exceed the Healthy People 2010 indicators of Children's Oral Health.
• Annual Conference Planning Committee: This committee will begin meeting in the next few weeks to start making plans for the 2006 annual conference.
• Advocacy Committee: This committee recommends an overall oral health advocacy agenda to the Board of Directors for approval. This includes legislative, administrative and community advocacy.
• Resource Development Committee: On this committee, we would like to have those with expertise in resource and fund development and those who can help the coalition continue to make improvements in oral health policy well into the future.
• Public Awareness Committee: This is a newly established committee that will begin looking at framing the issue of oral health to the public. One of the first projects of this committee will be to take a look at the issue of community water fluoridation.

If you see something here that sparks your interest, please call Ashley at 785.235.6039, or email her at ashleys@oralhealthkansas.org. We will then be in touch regarding future meeting dates. Back to menu

BECOME AN OHK MEMBER TODAY Please join us in improving the oral health status of all Kansas citizens. Privileges of membership: Opportunity to participate in the OHK annual meeting. Subscription to the OHK electronic newsletter, which includes information on state and national oral health initiatives and activities as well as legislative updates and alerts throughout the legislative session. Legislative, Executive and Administrative Branch and community advocacy representation. Opportunity to participate in coalition committees and other work groups. Discounted rates for OHK training and/or other events or educational opportunities.

Types of membership: Sustaining Member (Above $500): Consider making an additional gift to Oral Health Kansas to support us in achieving our mission. Corporate Member ($500): Open to for-profit entities, corporations, businesses, consultants, vendors or institutions that support oral health issues or provide oral health services. Associate Member ($100): Open to not-for-profit or public entities or organizations that support oral health projects or provide oral health services. Individual Member ($25): Open to any individual who is interested in oral health issues (ex. individual dentists or hygienists, consumers, or other interested parties). You can download a membership application from our website at www.oralhealthkansas.org. Back to menu