AUGUST 2006
(Vol. 1, Issue 3)

IMPORTANT DATES

September 6, 2006: Dental Examining Board Meeting
Madison, WI

September 22-23, 2006: Wisconsin Dental Hygienist Association Scientific Session
Wisconsin Dells, WI - Kalahari Resort

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

October 7th, 2006: Greater Milwaukee Dental Association Dental Day Milwaukee, WI - Milwaukee Area Technical College

If you have an event you would like added to this list please e-mail Matt Crespin

WOHC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

This month's WOHC member spotlight is on Thomas Hughes, DDS.  Hughes is a general dentist who practices privately in Cassville, Wisconsin.  Hughes is currently the chairperson of the WOHC Steering Committee and is a valued member of the Coalition.  Hughes is also a member of the American Dental Association, Wisconsin Dental Association (WDA), and the Southwestern Dental Society.  He served as president to the WDA in 2001 as well as on their Board of Trustees in 1995. Hughes also served as president to the Southwestern Dental Society from 1982-85 and again from 1993-95.  Hughes is a member of various other professional and civic organizations, many of which he has served in leadership positions. 

The importance of having a general dentist as a part of the Coalition and having the voice of the dental community be heard is what drove Hughes to join the Coalition.  "The biggest issue is not that we have a shortage of providers, but finding someone to pay for the care given."  Hughes sees the education of state and local officials on the problems of Medicaid reimbursement and on oral health in general as a positive step.  The Coalition applauds Tom for his continued dedication and hard to work towards the improvement of oral health in Wisconsin. 

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

WOHC Oral Health Forum
The fall oral health forum hosted by the Coalition will be held on Thursday September 28, 2006 at the Holiday Inn Select in Appleton, Wisconsin.  The Future of Oral Health in Wisconsin our theme and program will offer several informative presentations.  Dr. Michael J. Helgeson from Minnesota's Apple Tree Dental program will be giving the day's keynote presentation on Oral Healthcare Solutions: Hope for the Future and how we in Wisconsin can work to improve the oral health crisis we find ourselves in.  Also on the agenda are speakers who work in various models of oral health care who will share their experiences and answer questions regarding these models.  The afternoon will include a legislator awareness session where state legislators will participate in a discussion with attendees on the issues surrounding oral health care in Wisconsin.  We have an exciting and valuable day planned and encourage everyone to attend.  Click here to view and download an invitation.

Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile
Once again the Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile (SAS) program has had a very successful and productive year.  During the past fiscal year (July 2005 - June 2006) 20 programs statewide received mini-grants from SAS totaling $108,000.  The programs statewide screened over 7800 children and placed 18,480 sealants on 4,909 students.  These numbers are nearly double last years due to an increase in GPR funds given to SAS for distribution.  The 2006-07 recipients of SAS are:

• Brown County Health Department
• Chippewa County Health Department
• Dane County Health Department / Meriter Foundation
• Eau Claire City/County Health Department
• Madison Halloween Seal-A-Smile
• Madre Angela Dental Clinic
• Minocqua Joint School District #1
• Neenah Health Smiles
• Pierce County Health Department
• Portage County Health Department
• Price County Health Department
• Sheboygan School District
• West Allis Health Department
• Wood County Health Department

Children's Health Alliance and the Wisconsin Oral Health Coalition congratulate these programs for their continued dedication to oral health and wish them continued success. 

CR05-033
This is an update for those interested in the implementation of CR05-033.  The Department of Health and Family Services Division of Healthcare Financing is currently finalizing the paperwork necessary for dental hygienists to become a certified Medicaid provider.  It is expected that the information will be available September 1, 2006 when the rule officially goes into effect.  The Wisconsin Oral Health Coalition encourages hygienists statewide to take advantage of this new rule and to become a certified Medicaid provider.

FYI

Preventing Early Childhood Caries
Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a multifactorial disease that affects almost 20% of children in the United States every year.  According to the Surgeon General ECC is one of the most important public health diseases facing our nation.  Click here to read how to "Start Kids off on the Path to Oral Health." (Dimensions of Dental Hygiene July 2006)

The Great Sealant Debate
How effective are dental sealants and can they control the progression of incipient and extensive occlusal decay?  Many practitioners do not feel comfortable placing sealants to prevent further disease or to stimulate disease regression but do feel very comfortable with the ability of a dental sealant to prevent the initiation of decay.  Click here to read "Preventing the Progression." (Dimensions of Dental Hygiene July 2006)