Two bills directly related to dental access have just passed the legislature.  LD 2277, An Act Regarding the Sunrise Review of Oral Health Care Issues defines Independent Practice Dental Hygienist status. LD 2192, An Act to Increase Access to Dental Care, provides tax incentives to dentists who practice in underserved areas.

 

 

KOHP has a new web site and its own e-newsletter. To find out more how you can become an oral health partner, contact kohp@mcd.org or go to the web site.

The Fund for a Healthy Maine took a big hit this year as legislators struggled to close the budget hole. The final amount of the that will be taken from the Fund is still in play, but it is large. The Friends For the Fund is updating its list of supporters and encouraging individuals and organizations to sign on as supporters of the Fund to demonstrate that there is a constituency for prevention. Click here sign up and  take the Fund for a Healthy Maine Pledge.

 

 

The next Task Force meeting is April 24th.

Community Dental Rumford opened on Februray 28 with six dental chairs, two dentists and hygiensits. The clinic will incude a full range of services available. The dental health center will accept all patients and all forms of payment, and they expect to serve 9000 residents in the first year.  

 

The Sadie and Harry Davis Foundation is offering small grants that advance the health of Maine children.  The Foundation's primary focus has been on improving  oral health for children ages 0 to 3, through the From the First Tooth project. The new grants are not limited to oral health. To see the grant guidelines go to What's New, on the MDAC web site, and check out New Resources.

Gestational diabetes and periodontal disease linked.

 

Adding to the growing body of evidence demonstrating the connection between oral health and overall health,  NYU dental researchers have found evidence of periodontal disease leading to gestational diabetes. Read on ...

 

If your organization has an event or an accomplishment you would like to share please send it on. If there are oral health issues and policies you would like to  to see addressed in this forum, let us know.