HEALTHY MOUTHS HELP KIDS TO BE “GREAT AT EIGHT ” AND READY TO LEARN

Did you know that children who are on track developmentally enter the fourth grade reading to learn – and that if they are still learning to read it may be difficult to catch up — ever? This research, revealed in the “Special Report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation,” available at www.kidscount.org, is particularly intriguing to me because of its implications for Oral Health America’s hallmark program, Smiles Across America® (SAA).

OHA believes the early years are vital, reflected by the hundreds of thousands of fluoride varnish units we distribute annually for vulnerable pre-schoolers. However, the birth-to-eight research re-energizes SAA’s work with elementary school-based programs, which contribute to kids being ready to learn by receiving preventive dental services to minimize school hours lost due to mouth pain and infection from dental caries.

Dr. Mary J. Hayes, a noted Chicago-based pediatric dentist, makes the case in “Putting the Teeth in Health Policy for Illinois’ Children,” the first-ever essay on oral health included in our state’s edition of the KIDS COUNT Report, “Great at Eight.” Dr. Hayes reminds us that “disparities noted in the Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in America persist, specifically that poor children suffer twice as much dental caries than their more affluent peers.” Read her essay: www.voices4kids.org/library!

Voices for Illinois Children published this report, with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. As a Voices board member, I am proud that readers will learn about the oral health link to learning readiness. OHA is advocating on the issue by participating in the Children’s Leadership Council, organized by Voices for America’s Children. We believe that by pairing service with advocacy, Smiles Across America can build healthy mouths for all of America’s children – particularly those most vulnerable.

Beth

President & CEO
beth@oralhealthamerica.org

The latest Symposium in Oral Health America’s Medical Dental Dialogues, “Diabetes and Oral Disease: Implications for Health Professionals” drew 150 people from all parts of the US, Japan and Australia. OHA was the lead supporter for this program, presented by the New York Academy of Sciences, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and College of Physicians and Surgeons.

This month, OHA’s President and CEO Beth Truett talks with Dr. Anthony Vernillo, Professor at New York University’s College of Dentistry, Dept. of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, Radiology & Medicine, about the “huge opportunity” dentists have to be a trusted counselor for people with diabetes. Read the interview here with Dr. Vernillo, who has managed his own Type I Diabetes for 39 years!

NSTEP AT THE NATIONAL SMOKELESS & SPIT TOBACCO SUMMIT

OHA’s Melissa Hoebbel (pictured far left) served on the Advisory Board for the 6th Annual National Smokeless & Spit Tobacco Summit in Austin Texas, which took place on May 10-12. Over 400 people attended the summit. She has a passion for NSTEP and is committed to helping programs nationwide to educate youth, young adults and their families.

“The tobacco industry has responded to regulations and changing social norms by introducing new products to the market that offer an alternative to smoking; duel usage is on the rise,” said Melissa. “The Tobacco Summit is an important element in the fight against nicotine addiction! Conference participants left armed with resources to fight the epidemic in their communities.”

Find out more about OHA’s NSTEP® (National Spit Tobacco Program) and our slogan contest for Little League players.

HU-FRIEDY SUPPORTS OHA’S COMMITMENT TO DENTAL EDUCATION

Hu-Friedy, a well-known dental manufacturing company based in Chicago, has supported OHA for more than 30 years. OHA recently spoke with Karen Neiner, Vice President of Corporate Development, about why the company has remained such a loyal supporter.

“Hu-Friedy is more than a dental manufacturer-we support improving lives through dentistry. OHA’s mission and work, particularly with promoting dental education to professionals and the public, aligns perfectly with this. Being involved with OHA supports our overall commitment to excellence and we look forward to continuing our long relationship.”

The U.S. Senate has begun to debate a series of budgets that have the potential to result in massive cuts to programs that help low and moderate-income children, families, and older adults every day. They could close off opportunities for children, leave millions without vital health coverage, and could threaten our economic recovery.

For example, while the House-passed budget resolution, which did NOT pass a vote in the Senate last night, cut $4.3 trillion in services, it made net tax cuts worth $4.2 trillion. A second budget proposed by Sentor Toomey is less specific than the House-passed budget, but cuts billions in services annually while also adding tax breaks. The result: not much deficit reduction, and–especially important for our community–cost-effective oral health programs that do make a positive difference are at risk.

Contact your Congressional representatives today and ask them to please build and pass a budget that promotes long-term economic growth while supporting America’s education, jobs, and health, including, of course, oral health.