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 Oral Health Environmental Assessment and Partnership Evaluation Underway
With support of Delta Dental of Idaho, the IOHA has assumed responsibility for this statewide assessment that will query different constituents across the state to assess barriers, supports, and possible collaborations for improving oral health in Idaho. The first assessment of this kind was completed in 2014 by the Idaho Oral Health Program. By assuming ownership of the process, the IOHA is best positioned to share with full transparency, the results of this assessment. If you receive an email toward the end of August inviting you to participate in this web-based survey, we urge you to take a few minutes and share your honest perceptions about oral health in Idaho. Your perspectives will help shape a report to be co-authored by the IOHA and Delta Dental of Idaho. We hope to release the report in January 2018 and use it as a platform for future discussions and actions that lead to optimal oral health for Idahoans.
Registration Open for 2nd Annual Collaborating 4 Health Conference in Boise in October
This second annual statewide conference is open to all public health professionals and health champions and will be held in Boise between October 24 and 26. Attendees can expect to learn best and promising practices, strategies, and research in public health and healthcare from local and national speakers; experience a supportive environment where innovative ideas and creative approaches to public health are shared, and collaborate and network with public health, healthcare, and community professionals. Per person registration fees range from $75 to $100 and include some meals and continuing education units. For more information, or to register, visit www.collaborating4health.dhw.idaho.gov
IOHA Advocacy Efforts
Throughout the first half of this year, IOHA has signed on to national letters in opposition to new health care reform bills that would decrease access to health coverage for our nation’s citizens, especially Idahoans. The IOHA also sent personalized pleas to Congressman Mike Simpson, and Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo urging them to pause in the swift push to make change for change’s sake and encouraging them to work with their colleagues across party lines to find better solutions for health care issues that won’t leave Idahoans unprotected.
The IOHA has also signed on to national letters in support of enacting a long-term funding extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and maintaining the Johnson Amendment of the American tax code which protects the integrity of nonprofit organizations by ensuring that they do not endorse or oppose political candidates.
2017 Idaho Oral Health Convening Presentations Available
The IOHA was honored to join the Idaho Oral Health Program in presenting the 2017 Idaho Oral Health Convening on May 12, in Boise. The day-long meeting featured national speakers including Patty Braun, MD, MPH and Steve Geiermann, DDS on Medical/Dental Collaboration: Focus on Patient-Centered Care; Paul Glassman, DDS, MA, MBA, on Improving Oral Health Using Telehealth-Connected Teams and Virtual Dental Homes, and Jeremy Horst, DDS, MS, PhD on Cutting the Cutting Edge: Silver Diamine Fluoride. Keynote presentations can be found on the Idaho Oral Health Program website at http://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Health/OralHealth/tabid/106/Default.aspx
As a follow-up to Dr. Horst’s presentation on Silver Diamine Fluoride, we learned that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists issued both a fact sheet and policy statement in support of the use of Silver Diamine Fluoride. To read the AAPD documents, visit our IOHA Resource Page at http://www.idahooralhealth.org/resources/
IOHA Presentation at the 2017 Idaho State Dental Association (ISDA) 2017 Annual Session
Our thanks to the 2017 ISDA Annual Session Planning Committee for welcoming the IOHA as host of a panel session titled: How Oral Health Integration into Primary Care Settings can Help Your Practice. The June 23 discussion was moderated by Rick Ferguson, DDS, MS and panel participants included: Kim Keller, DDS, PA; Stephenie Dickie, DDS, geriatric certificate; Valerie Kellbach, DDS, Angie Bailey, RDH, MSDH, and Jennifer Wheeler, executive director of the IOHA. The discussion gave attendees a glimpse into the benefits of medical-dental collaboration and introduced the concept of integration and how it could be beneficial to both patients and practices. This information session was the first of many the IOHA hopes to hold across the state in the coming year as we continue forward momentum on our initiative of leading efforts to integrate oral health into primary care settings across Idaho. The IOHA Integration Update was distributed to attendees and is available at http://www.idahooralhealth.org/oral-health-integration/
Renew Your Membership for 2017:
Join before October 2017 in order to participate in end-of-year elections. Prices remain $40 for individuals and $200 for businesses or organizations. Pay online at http://www.idahooralhealth.org/membership/ soon. Annual memberships are valid through 12/31/17.
Sponsor Highlights:
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. We also thank Willamette Dental Group, the event sponsor for our 2017 Member Dinner Before the Convening.
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.
