Oral Health
Congratulations and Thank You to IOHA Board Members
It is with deep gratitude that the IOHA Board of Directors thanks retiring board member Samantha Kenney, RDH. Sam served the IOHA for more than 20 years. At different times, she held all leadership roles, including chair, led committees, spearheaded initiatives, and has been an energetic cheerleader for oral health and the IOHA for her entire career.
The board also welcomes new directors including: Megan Farrow, MPH, with the Bureau of Equity and Strategic Partnerships in the Idaho Dept. of Health & Welfare; Kerry Fuller, CHW, with Saint Alphonsus working as lead on the Emergency Department Dental Referral Project; Janis McClelland, MSDH, RDH, FADHA, representative for the Idaho Dental Hygienists’ Association and chair of the dental hygiene program at North Idaho College; Rachel Mitchell, business manager and special projects lead for Children’s Dentistry, and Pat Morris, executive director of the Idaho State Dental Association. Colleen Stephenson, RDH-ER, MS, clinical associate professor with the Idaho State University Dental Hygiene Program was elected to a new term.
Finally, the board is honored to recognize Dr. John Kriz as the first-ever recipient of the Idaho Oral Health Alliance Champion of Oral Health Award. The award recognizes individuals and organizations that help the IOHA strive toward its vision of optimal oral health for all who live within the borders of Idaho. A donation has been made to Terry Reilly Health Services in the name of Dr. Kriz.
News & Updates
- IOHA: 2023 Annual Report of the 2021-2026 Idaho Oral Health Improvement Plan
https://www.idahooralhealth.org/idaho-oral-health-improvement-plan/ - Idaho Give Kids a Smile Regional Events
Thanks to the Idaho State Dental Association for tracking and posting regional sites that are hosting events for underserved children in Idaho during National Children’s Dental Health Month. https://www.theisda.org/patient-resources/give-kids-a-smile - Idaho Kids Covered Legislative Update
Idaho Kids Covered holds monthly webinars that provide updates on progress to seek health coverage for all Idaho children. Join on February 20 at noon (Mtn) for an update on legislative issues that have arisen since the start of the 2024 session. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VZcdb8m2QOyufb2bl3GA1w#/registration - Delta Dental of Idaho: Rethink Your Drink Bottle Filling Station Grant Program Opens February 1, 2024
Tooth decay is the most common childhood chronic disease even though it is nearly 100% preventable. Sugar-sweetened beverages are a major contributor to tooth decay, so Delta Dental of Idaho wants students and staff to rethink their drink and opt for water. K-12 schools can apply to receive a Delta Dental of Idaho-branded Elkay® water bottle filling station to update or replace an outdated drinking water fountain. Each recipient school will also receive water bottles and dental care kits for all students and staff and will have access to oral health educational material.
Contact Delta Dental of Idaho’s Community Outreach Manager, Shaina Cales, at scales@deltadentalid.com for more information.
https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ddoi
Links & Resources
- Idaho Oral Health Alliance
We hope you will continue your support of the IOHA by joining us as a member. Annual memberships start every January, but you can join at any time. For more information or to pay your dues, visit https://www.idahooralhealth.org/membership/ - Introducing SDF into Pediatrics: Findings on Considerations for Integration and Collaboration for Patient Referrals - Webinar Slides (pdf)
- Medical Health Portal - Dental & Oral Health Screening (website)
- 2022 IOHA Annual Report (pdf)
- Release of Idaho's First Oral Health Workforce Assessment (pdf)
- Idaho Oral Health Alliance Receives Grants (website)
- CDC Initiative Creates New Water Fluoridation Technology to Support Rural Health Needs (website)
- AAP: Fluoride varnish is billable and implementable (website)
According to Pediatric News, with fluoride varnish treatments now on the Bright Futures periodicity schedule, reimbursement is attainable, and pediatricians can focus on integrating the 45- to 60-second procedure into their practices and strengthening their oral health messaging to families. - Idaho Oral Health Network Update – November 2015 (pdf)
- Healthy Me Update – November 2015 (pdf)
From the Idaho Oral Health Alliance - US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations Ages 0-5 (website)
- Schedule of Screenings & Assessments Recommended at Each Well-child Visit from Infancy through Adolescence (website)
From the American Academy of Pediatrics - Idaho Receives A Grade in PEW Dental Sealant Report (pdf)