2025
My Dental Care Passport Initiative for People with Disabilities
Thursday, December 11, 2:00 – 2:30 pm (EST)
Speaker: MaryAnne Lynch Small, Medicaid Project Manager at Oral Health Kansas
My Dental Care Passport is designed to improve the dental office visit for people with disabilities by letting individuals and their families/caregivers voice their specific needs. Sharing important information, for example, how a person likes to communicate, what they liked in past dentist visits, and what parts of the appointment might be hard for them, helps break down communication barriers and allows the dental team to make changes to the dental office and appointment plan before the person even arrives. This helps make the visit to the dentist better for everyone.
This webinar will explain the concepts behind the initiative and process that could make this viable in New York.
For more information: Oral Health Kansas – Dental Care Passport
Oral Health Training for Community Health Workers: Lessons from Montana
Tuesday, September 23, 1:00 – 1:30 pm (EST)
Join us for a special presentation from our colleagues in Montana highlighting their innovative project to bring oral health training to community health workers and other frontline professionals.
This webinar will showcase how the initiative is successfully expanding oral health knowledge across a wide range of providers, the early outcomes it is generating, and the long-term benefits for oral health education. Participants will also learn how New York can adapt and replicate this model to broaden training, strengthen access, and advance equity in oral health.
School-based Teledentistry: Lessons from the Field
Thursday, September 4, 2:00 – 3:00pm
Speaker: Sophie Webb, Program Director Virginia Health Catalyst
School-based teledentistry (SBT) programs expand access to oral health care by leveraging innovative technology to meet children where they are: at school. In this webinar, Sophie Webb, Program Director at Virginia Health Catalyst, will introduce Catalyst’s SBT learning collaborative and discuss the building blocks of successful SBT programs. The webinar will specifically explore the benefits and challenges of the learning collaborative model and the elements that must be in place in order for an SBT learning collaborative to thrive.
Transforming Pediatric to Adult Dental Care Transition – Prioritizing People with Disabilities
Wednesday, September 3, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM (EDT)
Speaker: Chelsea Fosse, DMD, MPH
- Chelsea Fosse, DMD, MPH
Vice President, Research & Policy Center
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
Too many children with disabilities unjustly slip through the cracks upon reaching adulthood, no longer able to access the dental care they need. This is due to shortcomings in our current dental delivery, education, and financing systems, with more limited coverage, lower reimbursement, and fewer providers serving adults with disabilities. While the complex issue of pediatric to adult health care transition has not yet been mastered in medicine nor any other social or health service, the concept remains nascent in the dental community.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recently convened a multidisciplinary advisory group of disability advocates and pediatric and adult dental providers to discuss facilitators and barriers to transition in dental education and practice and identify policy levers for transition systems improvement. Join this session to hear more about the Transition Advisory Group suggestions for making meaningful change in transition in the years to come. This session will explore the core elements of the health care transition process, discuss policy and payment opportunities to support pediatric to adult dental health care transition for people with disabilities and identify federal disability programs where dental service integration could be explored.
Slides Coming Soon
Medical Dental Integration: Introduction to the Smiles for Life Website and Resources
Monday, August 18, 1:00 – 1:45pm
The Smiles for Life program offers free, nationally recognized educational resources designed to integrate oral health into primary care. This comprehensive online and downloadable curriculum highlights the vital role primary care clinicians play in preventing and managing oral health conditions and provides practical strategies to close the oral health training gap.
While most oral diseases are preventable through routine screenings and preventive care, many primary care providers receive little or no formal oral health education. Smiles for Life was created to address this gap, ensuring all providers have the tools and knowledge to support better oral health for their patients.
Available at no cost, Smiles for Life offers certificates upon completion and includes specialized modules for front-line health workers, such as community health workers, health educators, case managers, patient navigators, and others.
This session will:
· Provide an overview of the Smiles for Life curriculum and resources.
· Share ideas for incorporating modules into training programs.
· Highlight examples from New York providers who have successfully integrated these tools into their work.
Speaker: Melinda Clark, MD, MPH
- Melinda Clark, MD, MPH
Melinda Clark is an academic pediatrician and a Professor of Pediatrics at Albany Medical Center. She serves as the American Academy Pediatrics New York Chapter 1 Oral Health Advocate and as an oral health expert for many national committees and organizations.
Integrating Oral Health Care Into Primary Care for the MCH Population: Why It Matters and What It Takes
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 1:00 – 1:30pm
This session highlights a report showcasing five long-standing statewide programs that integrate oral health into primary care for the maternal and child health population. We’ll explore shared success factors and barriers across the programs. Read the report: Integrating Oral Health Care into Primary Care Five Successful, Long-Standing, Statewide Programs Providing Care for the Maternal and Child Health Population
Speaker:
- Katy Battani, RDH, MS
Deputy Director, National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics Georgetown University
Slides available here
Recording available here
Understanding Teledentistry Learning Collaboratives
Monday, July 28, 2025 1:00 – 1:30pm
Learn about NNOHA’s teledentistry learning collaborative and explore how lessons from this initiative can inform New York’s efforts to expand teledentistry access.
National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) is a nationwide membership association that exists to promote access to oral health care for underserved populations by encouraging community health centers (CHC) to start and maintain dental programs. NNOHA provides training, technical assistance and networking for oral health professionals who work in the safety net.
Speaker:
- Rachel Johnston, MPA
Senior Program Manager
National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA)
Slides available here
Recording available here
2024
The State of Oral Health Access and Care in New York State and Models for Future Improvements
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 12:00 – 12:45pm
The shortage in the oral health workforce is a barrier for people in rural communities getting the necessary care they need. The impact from the lack of dental providers can be seen with long travel and wait times; leading to delayed care which can have lasting effects on the health of the person and the community. This webinar will discuss New York’s current state of oral health access particularly in rural regions and drawing on the experience of doctors Joel Berg and Matthew Weed. It will discuss a number of options for increasing oral health training across New York. It will also consider how these various models into the New York State community, particularly where rural trainee recruitment placement is concerned.
Speakers:
- Matthew Weed, Ph.D.
Principal of Dr. Matthew Weed and Associates, LLC - Joel Berg, DDS
CEO of Execudent
Execudent Education LLC
Slides available here
Recording available here
Oral Health Care Inequalities in the USA
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 6:00 – 7:30pm
The National Coalition Of Dentists for Health Equity (NCDHE),in collaboration with Penn Dental Medicine, has developed a webinar series to provide accurate information on dental therapists. This series aims to demonstrate the success of the various emerging workforce opportunities for increased access and equity in oral health care. The series will also explore the cost-effectiveness and revenue benefits of dental therapists, particularly in expanding access to care for low-income families.
Through four 90-minute webinars, experts will discuss the education, supervision, patient care quality, and financial considerations for integrating dental therapists into clinical operations.Join virtually and earn FREE continuing education credits.Advanced registration is required for this event. In order to participate, you will need to sign up for a free account with Penn Dental Medicine’s dental education portal when registering.
The first webinar, on September 18 from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm EST, will review the published evidence that describes “the oral healthcare underserved,” explaining who comprises this population and why their access to care is limited or nonexistent. Speakers will then describe the measures that have been implemented to address the needs of disadvantaged patients in the past, which of these measures have been effective or ineffective and the reasons why.
Speakers:
- Elizabeth Mertz, PhD, MA
Professor, University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry,
Co-Director, Oral Health Workforce Research Center - Patrick Smith, DMD, MPH
Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Public Health,
Associate Professor, UIC College of Dentistry - Mary Otto
Washington, DC-based independent journalist and author
Introduction to Dental Therapy: How a Community-Driven Workforce Model is Increasing Access to Care and Improving Health Equity
September 5, 2024 12:00-1:00pm
Join the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy and Community Catalyst for a discussion on the role of dental therapists in making care more accessible and equitable. This webinar will explore how dental therapists fit into the dental team, what the research says about how they impact access to care and oral health status, and why so many communities are pursuing dental therapy as a strategy for advancing both health equity and economic justice. It will serve as a primer for advocates, policymakers, and healthcare professionals who are new to the topic of dental therapy or as a refresher course for those more familiar with the topic.
Speakers:
- Laura (Hale) Brannon
Senior Project Manager, Community Catalyst - Kari Kuntzelman, DT
President, American Dental Therapy Association
View the webinar recording here.
Fulfilling the Promise of Teledental to Increase Access
August 21, 2024 1:00-1:45
Programs and dental facilities around the state have successful teledental programs, bringing services to populations that often have difficulty reaching traditional dental sites. This webinar will present information on teledental programs nationally and introduce two successful programs in New York. The programs will also share what policies would allow for the expansion of care using this model.
Speakers:
- Theekshana Fernando, MBBS, MPH, CHES®
Research Scientist
Oral Health Workforce Research Center, Center for Health Workforce Studies - Tony Mendicino, DDS
Chief Dental Officer
Finger Lakes Community Health - Courtney Chinn, DDS, MPH
Associate Chair
NYU Pediatric Dentistry
- View the Recording Here
- Finger Lakes Community Health: Slides
Leveraging Community Health Workers for Oral Health: Lessons from Two States
August 15, 2024 12:00-12:45
Community Health Workers are vital to providing needed services to underserved communities. This webinar explores the role of Community Health Workers and the impacts they made in the states of Kansas and Minnesota. Join this webinar to learn more about the innovative approaches towards incorporating Community Health Workers and Oral Healthcare.
Speakers:
- Kathy Hunt, RDH, ECPII
Dental Program Director
Oral Health Kansas - Nancy Franke Wilson, MPA
Executive Director
Minnesota Oral Health Coalition
- View the Recording Here
- Empowering Communities in Kansas: Slides
- Community Health Workers in a Dental Setting: Slides
Oral Educational Opportunities for Rural Oral Health Equity
July 18, 2024 1:00-2:00pm
This presentation will give an overview of rural oral health, highlighting the research and educational programing AIDPH offers in this area. Elizabeth will discuss innovative solutions being used in rural communities to overcome barriers to rural oral health disparities.
Speaker:
- Elizabeth Flannery, MPH
Innovative Dental Hygiene Practice: Community-Based Oral Health Care Services in Oregon and Minnesota
Jun 27, 2024 2:30-3:30pm
Our most recent oral health webinar discussed the state-to-state variability in dental hygiene (DH) scope of practice (SOP) and the impacts of DH SOP on access to care. This webinar explores best practices for community-based DH services in Oregon and Minnesota—both states that support a broad SOP for hygienists.
Speakers:
- Lisa Balint, MPH, RDH
Expanded Practice Dental Hygienist
Capitol Dental Care, Oregon - Nicole Ferrian, RDH, MS
Clinical Innovations Director
Apple Tree Dental, Minnesota - Donna Hickey, RDH
Vice President
Governmental Affairs and Public Policy
Dental Hygiene Association of New York - View the Recording Here
- Download slides – Nicole Ferrian, RDH, MS
- Download slides – Oral Health Workforce Research Center
- Download slides – Lisa Balint, MPH, RDH, EPDH
Using the Interstate Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact to Expand Capacity
June 18, 2024 12:00-12:45pm
The Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact will facilitate licensure mobility and multistate practice for oral health professionals. Attendees will learn about how the compact works, which states currently participate, and get answers to questions. Join this webinar to learn more about an exciting new policy development in dentistry and dental hygiene.
Speaker:
- Matt Shafer, MPA
Deputy Program Director
The Council of State Governments
Dental Hygiene Scope of Practice: Why it Matters
June 6, 2024 2:00-3:00 pm
Legal scope of practice (SOP), based on state-specific practice acts, defines what services a health professional is allowed to provide and under what conditions in a given state. This webinar considers state-to-state variability in dental hygiene (DH) SOP. The presenter will describe the use of the Dental Hygiene Professional Practice Index to quantify SOP and highlight differences across states. Research on the impact of DH SOP on access to community-based oral health preventive services will be discussed.
Speaker:
- Jean Moore, DrPH, FAAN
Director, Center for Health Workforce Studies (CHWS)
School of Public Health
University of Albany
Oral Health Needs Assessment for New York State
May 20, 2024 12:00-12:45 pm
This presentation by the Center for Health Workforce Studies at the University of Albany School of Public Health will report the findings of a needs assessment that was completed for this project. The researchers provide an analysis of the data to inform the development of workforce strategies to provide care to populations and geographic areas without sufficient oral health services.
The speakers will present the findings of the needs assessment and discuss implications for policy development.
Speakers:
- Nafin Harun, MA
Program Manager
Center for Health Workforce Studies - Jean Moore, DrPH, FAAN
Center Director
Center for Health Workforce Studies
Increasing Access to Dental Medicaid: Case Study from Missouri
May 14, 2024, 12:00-12:45 pm
This webinar will provide an overview of the work of the Missouri Coalition for Oral Health to increase access to dental care through MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid), including rate increases and working to support provider enrollment.
Speaker:
- Gary Harbison, MA
Executive Director
Missouri Coalition for Oral Health
Oral Health and Economic Welfare: A Two-Way Street?
May 9, 2024, 12:00-12:45 pm
It is well understood that economically disadvantaged populations suffer greater oral diseases and unmet treatment needs, but is the opposite also true—that poor oral health affects economic wellbeing? We’ll look at the evidence on both sides of this question as we explore why oral health matters.
Speakers:
- Burton Edelstein, DDS, MPH
Professor Emeritus of Dental Medicine (Pediatric Dentistry) and Health Policy & Management
Columbia University Irving Medical Center - Jill Boylston Herndon, PhD
Managing Member and Principal Consultant
Key Analytics & Consulting
- A scoping review of the economic impact of family oral health: Implications for public health, research, and policy. Published in the Journal Public Health Dentistry, Vol 82, March 2024.
Schuyler Center thanks the publisher for providing free access to this article for a limited time.
Oral Health: Opportunities for Prevention and Intervention
April 25, 2024
Not all oral health care is delivered by dental professionals. Since most people see their primary care provider during the year, these providers can play an important role in preventing dental disease and connecting patients to regular sources of dental care.
This webinar will highlight how common oral disease is today and the relationship of oral health to overall health. The presenter will review national oral health recommendations and practice guidelines, opportunities for integration of oral health into primary care and community settings and provide educational resources. The webinar will provide good background information for non-dental professionals who want to learn more about why good oral health is important to the health of the populations they serve.
Speaker:
- Melinda Clark, MD, MPH
Melinda Clark is an academic pediatrician and a Professor of Pediatrics at Albany Medical Center. She serves as the American Academy Pediatrics New York Chapter 1 Oral Health Advocate and as an oral health expert for many national committees and organizations.
Oral Health 101
Co-Sponsored with Community Catalyst
April 22, 2024
Whether you’re an advocate new to oral health or a dental provider interested in learning more about oral health policy, this webinar is intended to provide you with the foundation you need to understand and engage around the importance of oral health, what the barriers to oral health care are, and how oral health policy directly impacts people’s health. Come join us for an overview on how oral health is connected to physical, mental, and economic health, how dental care is delivered and paid for in the U.S., and how the current system leaves out many communities.
Speakers:
- Kasey Wilson, MSW, Senior Policy Analyst, Community Catalyst
- Laura (Hale) Brannon, Senior Project Manager, Community Catalyst
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