Hello Idaho Oral Health Alliance members and supporters! With support of members, sponsors, and partners, the IOHA serves as the catalyst for joint discussions and actions that lead us toward our vision of optimal oral health for Idahoans. Financial support and active engagement from members and partners continue to help us convene conversations and facilitate actions that move us closer to the vision we share.
The IOHA mission is to: Lead collaborative efforts to bring optimal oral health to Idahoans through education, advocacy, and program development.
2017 Annual Member Celebration a Success
Held on Dec. 5, at Telaya Winery, the Annual Member Meeting was hosted by the board of directors. Highlights from the 2017 Annual Report were shared, the end-of-year financial report was given by Board Treasurer, Graham Paterson (we’re doing well!), and re-elected board members were introduced. We welcomed Graham Paterson, Idaho Representative, Dental Services Advisor with Advantage Dental; Colleen Stephenson, RDH-EA, MS, Clinical Professor, Community Relations for the Idaho State University Department of Dental Hygiene, and Linda Swanstrom, MBA, executive director of the Idaho State Dental Association to new terms of volunteer service. The board extended its thanks to retiring board member, Dr. Justin Rader from Coeur d’Alene.
IOHA Oral Health Integration Initiative Progresses
The first meeting of committee co-chairs was held in mid-December. Committees and their leadership include: Referral Network/Matching Service Committee, Linda Swanstrom and Dr. Troy Clovis; Integration Awareness/Education Committee, Andrea Timmerman, Jesus Blanco; Integration Oversight Committee, Angie Bailey, Susanne Jamison. This leadership group will meet again in late January to finalize committee charges, solicit names for additional committee members, and outline next steps.
Annual Membership Drive
The annual membership drive is under way. Anyone who is an oral health champion is welcome to join. All memberships are based on the calendar year, so join at any time and your membership is valid through December 31, of the current year. Membership prices remain steady at $40 for individuals and $200 for organizations. Organizational memberships are available to for-profit and nonprofit businesses and organizations. Staff members and organizational leaders are eligible for member benefits. Benefits/discounts are not extended to dues-paying members of professional organizations, i.e. ISDA or IDHA. To pay online, visit http://www.idahooralhealth.org/membership/ or send a check to IOHA, PO Box 2309, Boise ID 83701. All contributions to the IOHA, a recognized 501 c 3 charitable organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Check with your tax advisor for more details.
IOHA Advocacy Efforts
Throughout the remainder of 2017 and into 2018, the IOHA continues to support the extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Idaho Close the Gap efforts to address Idaho’s large uninsured population.
Congratulations to Survey Respondents
Thanks to all who participated in the 2017 Idaho Oral Health Environmental Assessment and Partner Survey. Participants were encouraged to enter a random drawing for Apple Watches that were generously donated by Delta Dental of Idaho. Congratulations to winners Pam Rich, Jessica Perry, and Kristen Pentz-Weitz. The report, co-presented by the IOHA and Delta Dental of Idaho, should be released in the spring of 2018.
Resources for You
Data: The Idaho Oral Health Program, in partnership with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, has created a new one-stop shop for health data for Idaho. The new website, titled Get Healthy Idaho and Population Health can be found at http://gethealthy.dhw.idaho.gov/index.php/home/health_data or www.gethealthy.dhw.idaho.gov Look for the special section on oral health.
PBS Report on Silver Diamine Fluoride: The Public Broadcasting Service aired a report on the utilization of Silver Diamine Fluoride on PBS News Hour on January 3, 2018. To watch the 8 minutes feature, visit https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/this-new-treatment-could-make-your-next-trip-to-the-dentist-more-bearable The report includes an interview with Dr. Jeremy Horst, who spoke in Boise at the 2017 Idaho Oral Health Convening.
Online and Call-in Resources: The 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine http://211.idaho.gov/ has been upgrading its services and the LiveBetterIdaho website https://www.livebetteridaho.org/ has been released. Both are statewide community resources that assist citizens in finding services.
IOHA 2017 Annual Report: The 2017 IOHA Annual Report can be found at http://www.idahooralhealth.org/blog/
IOHA NEW Strategic Plan: In the fall of 2017, an ad hoc IOHA board committee led by Colleen Stephenson, RDH-ER, MS, worked to create a new long range strategic plan. The plan was adopted by the board of directors in September and can be found at http://www.idahooralhealth.org/about-ioha/
Report on Tooth Brushing to Keep Pneumonia at Bay: The Roanoke Times issued the following story about efforts to curb pneumonia, specifically in long term care settings, with daily brushing. It’s a short read that many of you will appreciate! http://www.roanoke.com/news/local/salem/salem-va-leads-national-research-tooth-brushing-each-day-keeps/article_8a959bde-f3c4-11e7-a933-7b5029467621.html
Upcoming Oral Health Presentations
- February 22-23, 2018: Idaho Perinatal Conference in Boise: Dr. Mallavarapu from Terry Reilly is presenting on the topic of oral health and perinatal care as a result of the Region #3 Idaho Oral Health Network (IOHN) efforts.
- May 4-6, 2018: Idaho Academy of Family Physicians annual conference in Sun Valley: The IOHA, the Idaho Oral Health Program, and the Idaho Rural Health Association will host a seminar on Oral Health Integration with Dr. David Krol, MD, MPA, FAAP, Medical Director for the New Jersey Healthy Kids Initiative at the Rutgers Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health. Prior to joining Rutgers, David served as a Senior Program Officer for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- June 13-16, 2018: Idaho State Dental Association annual session in Boise: IOHA and the International College of Dentistry will host a half day keynote on oral health integration with Dr. Steve Geiremann, DDS, Senior Manager, Access, Community, Oral Health Infrastructure and Capacity for the American Dental Association
Sponsor Thanks:
Our thanks to our Sustaining Partners, Delta Dental of Idaho and MCNA (Managed Care North America) and our continuing In-Kind Partner, Eide Bailly. These three stellar organizations continue to support our efforts in seeking optimal oral health for Idahoans.
