Your Participation Needed in Brief Survey

Smart Mouths Smart Kids (SMSK) is an initiative developed by Oral Health Colorado (OHCO) to encourage communities, schools and providers to incorporate sustainable preventive oral health programs as an important component of general health programs in the schools.

SMSK is now ready to reach beyond the pilot communities. One of the useful tools that will be in the SMSK Toolkit is the Data Collection Tool (DCT). The DCT is essentially a “mini” electronic dental record that captures both demographic and service provision information for children who are seen in an in-school oral health program. Data collected will be available to the individual programs and providers, and will be de-identified and aggregated to be sent to CDPHE.  

The SMSK team has developed a survey to help them target the most important reports that will be included with the DCT. Clinic feedback is very important as it will help frame the reporting component of the DCT and ultimately inform the oral health status of Colorado students. We request that surveys be completed no later than August 5. Thank you so much for your assistance.
The link to the survey is:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H85NNVG

[Source:  Karen Cody Carlson at kcodycarlson@smartmouthssmartkids.org}

Oral Health Colorado blog: New fluoride recommendation from Department of Health and Human Services

In April, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced its final recommendation for the optimal fluoride level in drinking water to prevent tooth decay at 0.7 milligrams per liter. Click here to read Deb Foote’s blog on how HHS came to its decision and what it means to oral health in Colorado.

Oral Health Colorado’s Industry News and Updates

“Dental Trade Alliance Foundation: If your organization has an innovative project designed to improve oral health care for the growing number of needy Americans and would like to be considered for a grant, please review the guidelines. Each applicant must demonstrate that their innovative project will not only improve access to oral care in their immediate area, but also have the potential to grow and be implemented in other areas of the country.  Each applicant must complete the electronic 2015 DTA Foundation Grant Proposal Application Form. Grant applications are due no later than May 27, 2015.

DentaQuest Foundation Information Webinars: The DentaQuest Foundation is hosting a series of informational webinars on each of the Oral Health 2020 Targets over the next few weeks.  These target webinars will focus on regrounding us in the importance of each target, sharing a vision for how the target can be realized, hearing from the leaders in the field about what’s happening today, and wrapping up with exploring where we still need to go from here. Click on the links below to register for the webinar.

• April 13 - Measurement - 2 pm EDT
• April 14 - Patient-Centered Care - 4 pm EDT
• April 14 - Medicaid - 4 pm EDT (Note: This is at the same time at a different phone number)
• April 20 - Children - 3 pm EDT
• April 22 - Schools - 2 pm EDT

Healthcare Policy and Finance Update: In case you missed the HCPF Colorado Medicaid Dental Program updates, here is a link for review. The revisions to the Adult Dental Services rule passed its final reading for permanent adoption at the Medical Services Board (MSB) meeting on March 13, 2015 and will be effective on April 30, 2015. The final version will be made available on the Code of Colorado Regulations website. Dental updates begin on page 7.” [Source: Oral Health Colorado]

The Board of Dental Examiners Will Hold Public Rulemaking Hearing 1/22/15

“The Board of Dental Examiners will be holding a public rulemaking hearing on January 22, 2015 relative to rule changes to the Dental Practice Act.  These changes are the result of legislation passed during the 2014 session- particularly as it relates to the practice of dental hygiene.

• Draft hygiene prescribing rule
• Draft laser rule
• Draft laboratory work order and denture construction rules

Should you have any comment and are unable to attend the hearing, please send your comments to Deborah Foote at deborah@oralhealthcolorado.org.” [Source: Oral Health Colorado]

Register now for OHCO’s “Smart Mouths Smart Kids” Conference!

“Join us for this day and half event that will share information, strategies, and perspectives on what helps children to be healthy and ready to learn across different ages and stages of development. A new "Smart Mouths Smart Kids Toolkit" will give participants resources and connections designed to improve health by developing sustainable models of school-linked oral health care.

Who: Dental providers, school nurses, health stakeholders, OHCO partners
When: November 13 – 14
Cost: $25/person. Hotel room cost is covered on 11/13 for those participants traveling more than 100 miles roundtrip. You will need to make your reservation with the hotel directly and provide a credit card to hold the reservation, and for incidentals. Room block expires 10/17/14!
Where: Sheraton Denver Tech Center Hotel
Click here to register.” [Source: Oral Health Colorado]

Smart Mouths Smart Kids: A Whole Child Approach for Health

“Join us for this day and half event that will share information, strategies, and perspectives on what helps children to be healthy and ready to learn across different ages and stages of development. A new "Smart Mouths Smart Kids Toolkit" will give participants resources and connections designed to improve health by developing sustainable models of school-linked oral health care.

Who: Dental providers, school nurses, health stakeholders, OHCO partners
When: November 13 – 14
Cost: $25/person. Hotel room cost is covered on 11/13 for those participants traveling more than 100 miles roundtrip. You will need to make your reservation with the hotel directly and provide a credit card to hold the reservation, and for incidentals.
Where: Sheraton Denver Tech Center Hotel
Click here to register.” [Source: Oral Health Colorado]

Save the Date for OHCO’s Fall Conference

“Save the date for Oral Health Colorado’s fall conference, A Whole Child Approach for Health, November 13-14, 2014. Registration is $25. The conference will be held at the Sheraton Denver Tech Center | 7007 South Clinton Street | Greenwood Village, CO. Systems change doesn't happen with solo voices—many voices are needed to build a chorus in which everyone plays a part. Join us for this exciting conference where the "Smart Mouths Smart Kids" toolkit will be unveiled and participants can discover ways to implement school-linked oral health in their communities. The conference will focus on the whole child across the ages and stages of development, and is sponsored by Oral Health Colorado.” [Source: OHCO]

Activating the Network for Oral Health in Colorado Resources

“Oral Health Colorado held a gathering in late June, “Activating the Oral Health Network In Colorado,” with participants from education, business, workforce development, health and other fields to explore the state of oral health in Colorado, its impact, barriers to improving oral health, and what must be done. For key themes that emerged from this discussion, view Oral Health’s Impact on Issues and Organizations Across Colorado. Click here to view additional materials from this convening.” [Source: Oral Health Colorado]

Save the Date: Activating the Network of Oral Health in Colorado

“Oral Health for Total Health: Plan to join OHCO and other stakeholders to talk about how we make sure oral health is part of the total health conversation on June 26th, 9am-noon at The Gill Foundation. Click here to register! Research demonstrates links between gum disease and other health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Learn ways you can engage constituents as advocates, and share your thoughts and ideas about how OHCO can continue to activate our network to improve the health of Coloradans.

Meet OHCO’s New Team Members: Meet our new Executive Director, Deborah Foote along with Coalition Development Director Francoise Mbabazi. They will share an overview about OHCO's activities and vision for the future, including strategies for action in policy, care, community and funding that can move the oral health agenda forward.” [Source: Oral Health Colorado]

You’re Invited: Increasing Access to Dental Care Information Session

“Please join us on February 4th, 8:30-10:30am for an information session to learn more about oral health delivery models at work in AK and MN that are increasing access to care for underserved populations.

 Thanks to the Caring for Colorado Foundation for supporting this dialogue as part of its efforts to create a shared understanding of key oral health workforce issues and strategies.

This session will be held at Rose Community Foundation | Richard L. Robinson Board Room | 600 South Cherry Street #1200 | Denver, CO 80246. Space is limited to 40 participants, so register today!”  [Source:  Oral Health Colorado]

News from Oral Health Colorado

“Oral Health Colorado is partnering with Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation on its public will building campaign, Brush With Me, that is designed to increase awareness about oral health issues, and deliver key behavior change messages to Coloradans. Watch for commercials on broadcast television, and visit the campaign’s website to see how you can promote similar message in our community.

OHCO’s team at Miles Consulting attended the SMART Act briefings from CDPHE, CDHS, and HCPF. All three departments presented to member of “Joint Health Committee,” which included members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, House Public Health Care and Human Services Committee and House Health Insurance and Environment Committee. The briefing were held on November 5th and 6th, 2013. Read more.

Check out the new informative Fluoridated Water – Tap into it! video from Brighter Futures Michigan on the safety and benefits of  community water fluoridation.” [Source: OHCO]

News from OHCO’s Executive Director

“I’m taking this opportunity to share with you the next exciting steps in Oral Health Colorado’s evolution. As a result of an intensive strategic planning process and the support of its funding partners, OHCO is now able to significantly develop its infrastructure and governance capabilities. Very soon, OHCO will be seeking a policy analyst and a coalition development director – and a full-time Executive Director. Expanded staffing will enable OHCO to build our coalition and board, thereby strengthening our ability to impact oral health policy in Colorado.

This opportunity for OHCO to grow gives me an opportunity to step back from coalition leadership. As many of you may know, my role as Executive Director was originally conceived in order to stabilize the coalition and to strengthen its ability to build an effective advocacy network. And we have had unprecedented success in these efforts during the past few years! In order to achieve the ambitious goals that OHCO’s leadership has set, a full-time executive director with strong policy and management skills is needed to lead the organization. I am confident that we will find the right person for this exciting and challenging position.

As the position description and employment process are developed, we will be sending a request for applications. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me (executive.director@oralhealthcolorado.org) with the names and contact information for any suggested applicants. I will continue to work with OHCO as the program manager for the final year of our “Smart Mouths Smart Kids” initiative.” [Source: Karen Cody Carlson, Executive Director, Oral Health Colorado]

Colorado Oral Health Plan Survey Reminder

"The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Oral Health Colorado (OHCO) invite you to participate in a short survey regarding the Colorado Oral Health Plan published in 2012. As part of the ongoing evaluation of the plan, we are interested in learning how individuals use the Colorado Oral Health Plan, how the plan works for you, and ways in which it can be improved to better meet your needs in your efforts to achieve optimal oral health in our state. Your feedback on the survey is confidential and anonymous and will only be shared with the coalition in aggregate and summary form to improve the plan.

Please complete the survey by Friday, July 26th.  Click here for the survey.

Thank you in advance for your participation - your feedback is important!" [Source:  Oral Health Colorado]

Colorado Oral Health Plan Survey

"The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Oral  Health Colorado (OHCO) invite you to participate in a short survey regarding the Colorado Oral Health Plan published in 2012.  As part of the ongoing evaluation of the plan, we are interested in learning how individuals use the Colorado Oral Health Plan, how the plan works for you, and ways in which it can be improved to better meet your needs in your efforts to achieve optimal oral health in our state.  Your feedback on the survey is confidential and anonymous and will only be shared with the coalition in aggregate and summary form to improve the plan.  Please complete the survey by Friday, July 26th.  Thank you in advance for your participate - your feedback is important!"  [Source:  Oral Health Colorado]

Colorado Oral Health Plan Webinar

Date: October 4, 2012
Time: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm

Please join Oral Health Colorado for a one hour informational webinar to introduce the newly released Colorado Oral Health Plan. Governor Hickenlooper will share some welcoming thoughts about oral health as a critical "winnable battle" and the role of key stakeholders in improving the oral health of all Colordans.

How to Participate
Online: Visit the Livestream channel prior to the webinar to ensure you can access the site.
By phone: Toll Free #: 1-877-820-7831; Participant Passcode:  545656