action for dental health 2015 update dr. terry buckenheimer trustee- american dental association

Action For Dental Health

2015 Update

Dr. Terry Buckenheimer

Trustee- American Dental Association

© 2015 American Dental Association, All Rights Reserved 2

Opportunities for Professional Leadership

• Action for Dental Health – series of initiatives which were designed to advance the oral health of the public

• Solutions which have proven to be team generated, public focused, collaborative projects

• 8 initiatives grouped into three categories• Florida Action for Dental Health launched


A Three Prong Approach

1. Provide Care Now

• Reduce number of people going to hospital ERs for dental pain - refer to private practice or health centers for care

• Expand access to care for elderly in nursing homes

• Expand MOM and Give Kids A Smile® events


More Dental School GKAS events


Action For Dental Health-

• ER Referral Models: 5 Distinct Types incorporating patient volunteerism, hospital contracting, educational programs, private practice and health center collaborations

• Dentistry in Long Term Care: CE Series, National Eldercare Advisory Committee, 10 States to begin Eldercare programs

• MOM projects throughout the country


ER Referral Models- More Details

• Pay It Forward Model- Battle Creek Michigan• Now in Year #8 with 74% reduction in ER use for dental pain• DVD and 10 Step Document available

• Specialty Clinic Model- Seattle King County• Partnership between Hospital/ Health Center/ Private Practitioners• Saves hospital over $1 million yearly

• Private Practice Model- throughout the country• Community Partners/ Health Center voucher programs/ Hospitals


Long Term Care- Action for Dental Health

• Training dentists across the country to provide care in nursing homes

• Helping states develop geriatric oral health plans

• Upcoming webinar on LTC/ IME• National Eldercare Advisory Committee

(NECAC) provides technical assistance (Dr. Nolan Allen – Florida Consultant)


MOM and Give Kids A Smile Care Events

• MOM events in each state; some states have 2-5 MOM events per year

• MOM events at ADA Annual Meetings• 1200 patients treated at 2014 ADA Annual

Meeting• Legislators present at all MOM events with

ADA members, media and community stakeholders


Florida Action for Dental Health

• Goal: to improve the oral health and resulting overall health of all Floridians.

• The FDA promotes and advocates for oral health because a healthy mouth is essential to a healthy body. All Floridians should have access to quality dental care with programs and services tailored to all populations- infants to elderly.


Give Kids A Smile Signature Program

• 400,000 children seen 2013-2014• Corporate Partners- Dental Homes• Dental School and Private Practitioner

Engagement• Over 12 Years of Program Success• Now occurs all year round• February = Children’s Dental Health Month



2. Strengthen the Safety Net

• Contracting between private practice dentists and health centers with practitioners receiving enhanced Medicaid reimbursement

• Continue to advocate for simplified Medicaid administration reforms and fee increases


Safety Net Support

• Focus on reducing Medicaid credentialing time, highlighting best practices

• Provider education on Medicaid regulations to avoid unintentional noncompliance

• Contracting with health centers promotes efficiencies and reduces health center “bricks and mortar” costs

• Community benefits from a strong safety net- enhanced sense of community pride


Health Centers Contracting with Dentists

• 10-12 % of Health Centers in California• Voucher programs for specialty care in some

states• Number of dental visits for health center

patients has increased per UDS data• Local dentists providing care to health center

access points in rural areas via voucher programs, contracts and collaborations


Dental School Update: 2015

• Schools that opened in 2011 will graduate their first class this spring

• Health Policy Institute data shows supply of dentists will increase over the next 10 years.

• 90% of dental schools rotate dental students through community clinics and health centers

• 12 dental schools have opened since 1997• Over 3600 new graduates by Spring 2015


Community Water Fluoridation—CRISIS MODE

• More rollback attempts last year alone than in the previous 30 years.

• House of Delegates $500,000 investment• Supportive local efforts to implement or

maintain community water fluoridation• ADA staff provide local technical assistance• 70th Anniversary Celebration planned for july

2015



3. Highlight Education and Prevention

• Ensuring more Americans have access to fluoridated drinking water

• Increasing number of Community Dental Health Coordinators

• Strengthening collaborations with other health professionals and organizations: for increased understanding of oral health value


Promoting Prevention

• Community Water Fluoridation- continual challenges = need for Spokespersons

• Promotion of Medical-Dental collaboration (the age 1 dental exam; dental “home” establishment

• Community Dental Health Coordinators- for community based , culturally competent dental navigation and case management


Medical –Dental Collaboration

• Partnering with AMA on Diabetes and Hypertension project

• Partnering with American Association of Family Practitioners on Oral Cancer topic

• Partnering with Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants and American Association of Pediatricians on Early Childhood Caries


Supporting Organizations of ADH

• American Association of Family Practitioners• National Association of Community Health

Centers• American Association of Oral and Maxillo

Facial Surgeons• American College of Emergency Physicians• American • Catholic Hospital Association and others


ADA Legislative Advocacy Actions

• Funding efforts for Dental Schools• Lobbying efforts for Student Loan Interest

considerations• Advocacy for funding for Indian Health

Service, Community Health Centers, Medicaid Funding, Dental Research, Dental Residencies, Dental Programs in the Armed Services and Student Loan Repayment


Questions– Comments—More Information

• Dr. Terry Buckenheimer• [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

action for dental health 2015 update dr. terry buckenheimer trustee- american dental association

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