ASTDD Key Messages

State Oral Health Programs make an essential contribution to public health and must be continued and enhanced. Resources to Support ASTDD Key Messages.

• 1. A successful SOHP must have diversified funding that includes funding for state and local evidence-based programs.
• 2. A successful SOHP needs a continuous, strong, credible, forward-thinking leader.
• 3. A successful SOHP needs a complement of staff, consultants and partners with proficiency in the ASTDD Competencies for SOHPs.
• 4. A successful SOHP needs one or more broad-based coalitions that include partners with fiscal and political clout.
• 5. A successful SOHP must have valid data (oral health status and other) to use for evaluation, high quality oral health surveillance, a state oral health plan with implementation strategies, and evidence-based programs and policies.

Announcements, Publications & Documents

In my President's acceptance speech I mentioned that my simple vision was "to connect and use dots to explore new models, ideas and systems." In the past couple of months, and for the future, I believe that connecting new ideas to create new and unusual concepts to assist in the development of initiatives to prevent and control oral diseases and other diseases is what we have been doing. The Thursday evening dental director calls since early April have brought many of us together to strengthen and foster relationships and to connect with other partners to gain capability and reach. The Thursday evening calls have averaged around 30 participants each week, with several discussion topics, the majority around how states are managing within the COVID19 pandemic. Notes from the meetings are shared with all dental directors so those not able to make the call can see the topics discussed. I hope these calls are helping support and strengthen dental directors in their work. Another connection that began by looking at other ideas from different places, across geographies and sectors is to address oral health equity. One of the Thursday evening dental director calls did address health equity and racism. This is not an easy subject to approach and it may make some feel uncomfortable. The Michigan Public Health Administration has been discussing diversity, equity and inclusion for many years. This is an ongoing process that continues today. I  think we are all aware of oral health disparities and inequities that face many populations. Learning and becoming educated on these topics can help foster conversations and build richer communities. In the bureau where I work, we have created a Health Equity library. It is small but has a few books that may be of interest--Teeth by Mary Otto and $2 a Day/Living on Almost Nothing in America by Kathryn Edin and H. Luke Shaefer are a couple of them. The current book I am reading from the library is How to be Less Stupid about Race by Crystal M. Fleming. I would encourage you to read them.

Respectfully,
Christine M. Farrell, RDH, BSDH, MPA

• Navigating the ASTDD Website: This 10 minute tutorial provides tips on how to navigate the ASTDD website more efficiently and productively.
  PowerPoint
• ASTDD Roundup - Check out the September/October ASTDD Roundup, a new bimonthly summary of selected ASTDD consultant, committee, project and meeting summaries
• ASTDD 2020 Annual Business Meeting Minutes
• ASTDD 2019 Annual Report
• 2019 ASTDD Overview PowerPoint
• 2020 ASTDD Business Meeting PowerPoint
• 2020 ASTDD Awards Brochure
• 2020 Fluoridation Awards Brochure
• 2020 Fluoridation Awards PowerPoint
• NOHC Virtual 2020 Special Roundup
• Healthy People 2030 Oral Health Objectives Policy Statement (November 2020)
• State Oral Health Improvement Plan Strategy Indicators: A Conceptual Framework Webcast -  Dr. Danny Kalash provided an overview of a qualitative analysis of all State Oral Health Improvement Plans (SOHIP)s in the United States. The analysis draws from a set of SOHIP strategy indicators and presents each into a conceptual framework among the three dental public health core functions and ten dental public health essential services. Summary findings for state and territorial oral health programs were provided. (August 2020)   
  
  • Recording
    PowerPoint
• Addressing the Social Determinants of Oral Health: Local Strategies for a National Discussion Webcast - One of the goals of the California Department of Public Health's Oral Health Plan 2018-2028 is to "Improve the health of California by addressing determinants of health and promote healthy habits and population-based prevention interventions to attain healthier status in communities." The purpose of this webcast was: 1) to provide a brief update on California's strategies for addressing the social determinants of oral health, and 2) to present both a local oral health program's and a stakeholder organization's activities related to improving oral health equity in selected California communities. The panel highlighted how these local strategies can be adapted for addressing the social determinants of oral health by a variety of organizations and communities. (October 2020)
  • Recording
  • PowerPoint
• Best Practice Approach Report: State and Territorial Oral Health Programs and Collaborative Partnerships - This Spotlight discussed the importance and value of partnerships especially during these challenging times. Communications, flexibility and responsiveness to current needs and trends are the key factors to success. (October 2020)
  • Recording
  • Chatbox conversations
• Resources for Oral Health Screenings by School Nurses - During the current pandemic, school nurses may be the only avenue for assuring that children receive dental screenings/referrals. ASTDD and the National Association of School Nurses have collaborated to develop some resources to assist with doing so.
  • Considerations for School Nurses in Return to School: Dental Screenings
  • School Nurses: The Key to Good Oral Health During COVID-19 Infographic

• Revised 10 Essential Public Health Services
  • Summary of the Revised 10 Essential Public Health Services
  • Defining Public Health Practice: 25 Years of the 10 Essential Public Health Services Environmental Scan
  • Digital Toolkit To Help With Adopting And Implementing the Revised Framework

• Needs Assessment Reports for US Affiliated Pacific Islands

COVID-19 Resources

• Two Resources to Track State by State Response COVID-19
  • National Network for Oral Health Accesss
  • Association of Dental Support Organizations
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  The CDC recommends that dental facilities postpone elective procedures, surgeries, and non-urgent dental visits, and prioritize urgent and emergency visits and procedures now and for the coming several weeks. This aligns with the American Dental Association (ADA)'s March 16, 2020 recommendation that dentists nationwide postpone elective procedures, as well the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)'s March 19, 2020 guidance that all non-essential dental exams and procedures be postponed until further notice.
  For urgent clinical care of patients with known or suspected COVID-19, dental personnel and medical providers should work together to determine an appropriate facility for treatment and should follow the Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) or Persons Under Investigation for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings The urgency and need for a procedure are decisions based on clinical judgement and should be made on a case-by-case basis.
  CDC urges providers to be familiar with the information on CDC's COVID-19 website. Specific information is available for Healthcare Professionals , including a Healthcare Professional Preparedness Checklist , instructions on Evaluating and Reporting Persons Under Investigation (PUI) , Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure Guidance , and What Healthcare Personnel Should Know . Dental healthcare personnel can also consider signing up for communications from CDC's Health Alert Network , which is CDC's primary method of sharing information about urgent public health incidents with healthcare providers.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  Adult Elective Surgery and Procedures Recommendation
• Health and Human Services
  Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications During the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency
• Health Resources and Services Administration
  HRSA's COVID-19 FAQs for health centers and related information can be found on the Emergency Preparedness and Recovery Resources for Health Centers webpage.
• Occupational Health and Safety Administration
  https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  EPA has released an expanded list of EPA-registered disinfectant products that have qualified for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. EPA Expands COVID-19 Disinfectant List
• American Dental Association (ADA)
  Coronavirus Resource Center ADA.org/VirusResources includes the newest practice management, safety and clinical guidance.
• American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA)
  ADHA has developed a resource page for all things related to COVID19 which is located at www.adha.org/COVID19. This includes an FAQ section along with a running timeline of actions ADHA has taken in response to COVID19. They have also included resources and guidance from national partners so that our community can find answers easily in one place.
• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
  AAPD's recent COVID-19 policy messaging to its membership may found online, including an embedded link to the article, An Algorithm for Managing Emergent Dental Conditions for Children. Visit: https://www.aapd.org/about/about-aapd/news-room/covid-19/
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
  As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, the AAP has been staying abreast of all confirmed developments related to its global spread and will continue to be vigilant in efforts to develop and share information and guidance with members. Updates for pediatricians are available at https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/
  This website includes:
  • Clinical guidance
  • Information on PPE
  • Practice Management Resources
  • Telemedicine and telephone care resources
  • Coding information
  • Information for families
  • Physician wellness tips
  • Advocacy
• California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine
  Using Teledentistry to Maintain Services and Contact with Patients During the time of COVID‐19 Physical Distancing, was developed by Dr. Paul Glassman and his staff at the California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine for dental providers and practices to use in developing systems that can be effective in the current environment.

• DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement
  The COVID-19 Education Series contains key information on infection control and alternative methods to care, such as teledentistry, during a public health crisis. In addition, the Oral Value-Based Care Series is designed for any health professional who has an interest in transforming from traditional dental care to Value-based Care (VBC). Visit the Online Learning Center for more information.

Organizational Associate Members

• America's ToothFairy: National Children's Oral Health Foundation
• American Dental Hygienists' Association
• Future Smiles
• Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services
• National Network for Oral Health Access
• Oral Health Kansas
• OPEN (Oral Health Progress and Equity Network)
• Organization for Safety, Asepsis & Prevention (OSAP)
• School-Based Health Alliance
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Virginia Health Catalyst
• West Virginia Oral Health Coalition
• Wyoming Primary Care Association

National Oral Health Conference