JUNE 2006
(Vol. 1, Issue 1)

IMPORTANT DATES

June 8, 2006: JCRAR Public Hearing on CR05-033

June 15, 2006: Deadline for submitting Seal-A-Smile RFP's

September 28, 2006: WOHC Fall Oral Health Forum   Appleton, WI - Holiday Inn Select

WELCOME

The Wisconsin Oral Health Coalition (WOHC) is proud to introduce Oral Health eBytes, our electronic monthly update replacing the previous format you normally recieved by e-mail. Oral Health eBytes will deliver useful state and national oral health news and legislation. It will also keep you updated with information on upcoming events and meetings. If you prefer not to receive these newsletters, click unsubscribe at the bottom of the issue. To share this with others who care about oral health, click the "Send to a Friend" icon to the left.

WOHC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

This month's spotlight is on Robert Stieneker of Dental Associates Ltd.  He is the director of professional development and has been with Dental Associates since 1999. Prior to Dental Associates, he served as a colonel in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps.  During his time in the Army, he held numerous senior management and executive leadership positions, such as, the assistant dean/chief operating officer of the Academy of Health Sciences; the education and training policy advisor for the Army Surgeon General; and as the executive officer for the U.S. Army Dental Care System. 

Stieneker has been a member of WOHC since 2004 and is key in helping to address Wisconsin's dental access problem.  He states, "The only way this will be solved is through a concerted effort on the part of the state to provide a reimbursement rate to providers that at minimum covers the provider's overhead.  Once this is done, then it falls to the dental community to actually provide the care."  The WOHC appreciates Stieneker's work and would like to acknowledge him as a great asset to the Wisconsin dental community.

This section of the WOHC Oral Health eBytes will feature a dedicated member/organization of the coalition. If you have any recommendations, please contact Matt Crespin

WISCONSIN NEWS

Seal-A-Smile
Children's Health Alliance of Wisconsin (CHAW) announces a 7th year of Seal-A-Smile funding. Click here for the Request for proposals. The deadline for submitting a proposal for consideration is June 15, 2006. Also, click here for the Seal-A-Smile Fact Sheet.

CR05-033 ***Action Item***
The Wisconsin Assembly State Affairs Committee held a public hearing in March to hear testimony in regard to CR05-033 . Karen Ordinans a member of the WOHC steering committee and executive director, Children's Health Alliance of Wisconsin, read and submitted written testimony in favor of the rule change without any amendments. In addition, several other WOHC members presented testimony on behalf of their respective organizations. The committee later met, in a closed executive session, to vote on the passage of this rule. The committee voted 6-3 in favor of an amended rule, which excludes the portion of the rule allowing dental hygienists to become certified as Medicaid (MA) providers. The rule has now been assigned to the Wisconsin State Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR).  There is a public hearing scheduled for June 8, 2006 at 12:30 p.m. in room 417 north at the State Capitol, where written and oral testimony will be accepted.  Please contact members of the JCRAR and urge them to pass this rule, without any amendments.  It is important to allow dental hygienists to become MA providers.  If you have further questions or would like assistance in reaching the JCRAR, please contact Matt Crespin.

TDOT Visits Madison School
Tomorrow's Dental Office Today (TDOT) visited Glendale Elementary School in Madison to provide outreach to local children on April 27 and 28. This semi travels the country providing outreach to children showcasing their sponsors latest dental technology. The semi is sponsored by American Dental Association and Sullivian-Schien Dental. TDOT collaborates with community events to provide a location to practice dentistry. For more information, visit 
www.tomorrowsdentalofficetoday.com

Training Available
Did you know there are seven DHFS Regional Oral Health Consultants (ROHC) across the state?  They are available to train your clinic, health department or office, on early childhood carries (ECC), maternal oral health, and fluoride varnish application.  Many dental professionals, pediatricians and nurses in both public and private sectors have implemented a fluoride varnish program to address the growing ECC problem.  Contact Matt Crespin,  Southeast Regional Oral Health Consultant, to learn more about the consultant in your area.

NATIONAL NEWS

Children's Dental Foundation
The National Children's Dental Foundation (NCDF) was unveiled at the Chicago Mid-Winter Dental Meeting. Their mission is to eliminate dental disease and promote overall health and well-being by supporting and assuring access to the best comprehensive prevention, education, treatment and advocacy programs for the growing number of underserved children.

Legislative Update
The Special Care Dentistry Association is pleased to announce that Representatives Boustany (R-LA) and Andrews (D-NJ) have introduced H.R. 4624, The Special Care Dentistry Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives.
This critical new legislation will provide a cost-effective means to ensure oral health benefits and improved access to dental care are available for our nation's most vulnerable citizens. This benefit will reduce suffering and lower overall health care costs. Visit H.R. 4624, The Special Care Dentistry Act to read more and to find out what you can do to help.

FYI
The Sealant Solution
"Pit and fissure sealants have been helping prevent occlusal decay, since the first sealant material came on the market, in 1976. Sealants have become a key tool in the fight against the caries epidemic in the U.S." (Sharon Barberi, RDH, MS, Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, February 2006) visit The Sealant Solution to view entire article.

Xylitol in development
Visit the Xylitol Q and A session with dental professionals on the effects and benefits of xylitol, a sugar substitute helping in the fight against early childhood caries.