Students, faculty and ADA leaders and staff gathered last weekend to mark the induction of a second cohort of 18 future community dental health coordinators into that educational program at Rio Salado Community College in Tempe, Ariz. The occasion also celebrated the first cohort of 12 students reaching the end of their didactic training and moving into field training in multiple underserved areas.
Dr. Gist greeted the assembly, saying “today is an important milestone in your personal journey – and I want to congratulate you for your great progress and I look forward to seeing all of you graduate from this program in the near future and begin stellar careers. I’m confident that all of you will make important contributions to improving the oral health of this nation.”
Save the date- first Wednesday of each month! -see you at the Social!
Arizona axes Medicaid benefits for low-income kids!
Arizona has become the first state in the U.S. to completely eliminate its Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The state's 2010 budget, signed by Gov. Jan Brewer on March 18, shuts down the KidsCare program, which provides medical and dental coverage to 38,000 low-income children.
The KidsCare program, Arizona's version of CHIP, is slated to end June 15, 2010. KidsCare covers children whose families have income between 100% and 200% of the federal poverty level.
“This is a huge tragedy.”
— Elizabeth Rogers, Oral Health America
"This is a huge tragedy," Oral Health America spokesperson Elizabeth Rogers said in an interview with DrBicuspid.com. "The state is inevitably going to incur significant costs from this decision, both in their critical care and emergency care units and in other healthcare facilities. Once parents and children are experiencing pain for untreated oral disease, they will be seeking care one way or another, and someone is going to have to pay for it. Their health problems are not going to go away just because these programs are cut."
Arizona does not have enough funds to keep paying its portion of this program, according to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), which administers the state's Medicaid program. The state is facing a projected $2.6 billion shortfall next year.
But the cuts also mean the state will forgo hundreds of millions of dollars in federal matching aid. The KidsCare program was funded jointly by the state and federal government, which matches state contributions to Medicaid and CHIP programs on a varying percentage based on a state's per capita income. In 2010, 76% of the funding for Arizona's CHIP program would have come from federal matching funds.
"They are leaving a lot on the table by eliminating the CHIP program," said Meg Booth, deputy director of the Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP).
Adult benefits too
Gov. Brewer's 2010 budget also affects adult patients and providers. It reduces dental provider fees by 5% and eliminates Medicaid adult dental services as of September 30, in addition to other dental program changes, according to the CDHP. The state has about 4,000 dentists, including some 1,000 AHCCCS providers, said Kevin Earle, executive director of the Arizona Dental Association.
"The cutting out of this benefit [adult dental services] is extraordinarily short-sighted," said Earle. "These folks are not going to do anything until they have pain, and then they will show up at the emergency rooms, overburden the emergency rooms, probably be prescribed an antibiotic and pain medication, and then discharged. But this will not stop the progression of the infection.
"If we don't invest the money when it is needed," he added, "we will end up with people in the hospital with gross infections, and there are only a limited amount of funds available to offset the costs to the hospital. So ultimately the cost will be transferred to those who can afford to pay in the form of higher hospital costs."
Between the elimination of the KidsCare program and the adult Medicaid services, "the implications are frightening," he said.
"While all Americans understand the tremendous pressure on states to manage their budgets during this recession, the CDHP is deeply concerned that cuts in essential health coverage programs will all too quickly backfire into higher costs for states when former beneficiaries need to obtain emergency care for conditions that could have been prevented or treated earlier and more effectively," added Burton Edelstein, D.D.S., M.P.H., founding chair of the CDHP.
Booth said she is not aware of any other states that are considering eliminating their CHIP programs. Many, such as California -- and now Arizona -- are opting instead to cut adult dental benefits. In contrast, as part of a new federal program, Iowa recently became the first state in the U.S. to implement a dental-only program for underinsured children in low- to modest-income families.
"This is a historic time for state and federal governments in terms of investing in healthcare, and we hope that oral care can become a priority," Booth said. "Significant investments will be made through the passage of the healthcare reform bill that will help states like Arizona, although it doesn't necessarily mean they will be able to restore CHIP and the adult dental benefits. We hope that the potential passage of healthcare reform will not only help states regain some traction on children's health but also provide them with some infrastructure to address children's oral health specifically."
Hu-Friedy recognizes local RDH for her dedication to her community
CHICAGO, IL -- (Marketwire) -- 03/04/10 -- Hu-Friedy, a global leader in the manufacture of dental instruments, acknowledged the work of two Dental Hygienists by sponsoring their trip to attend the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, which convened at McCormick Place February 25-27. Debby Kurtz-Weidinger was one of the two dental hygienists who won!
Hu-Friedy conducted a contest to recognize the dedication of hygienists and to help eliminate any economic cost barrier that might prevent participation in this meeting. The winners, each of whom wrote a short essay on why they deserved to attend the Midwinter Meeting,are among the 15,000-member base of the online community "Friends of Hu-Friedy" (www.friendsofhu-friedy.com). Approximately 100 dental hygienists submitted essays describing the benefits they expected from being selected to attend the largest annual gathering of dental professionals in the U.S.
"We all would like to thank Sandy Boody for a wonderful CE class On February 6th! Here are some pictures from the event!"
The food for the Salvation Army was delivered on Friday, December 11th. We more than doubled what we collected last year. Thanks to the hygiene students of both Phoenix College and Rio Salado for all of the food items they gathered this season. We all know how busy it is for the student's this time of year. To everyone who brought food to the CE's, socials, etc. thank you so much for remembering to do so. CADHS appreciates everyones help in making this a great success once again.
Congratulations to our newly inducted CADHS Board Members! We look forward to an exciting year ahead!.
THANK YOU TO SO MANY CADHS MEMBERS
By Mary Cosaboom, RDH, MS, CADHS Trustee
Thank you to all CADHS members who served as delegates and alternate delegates during my two year term as CADHS Trustee. It has been my honor to serve all of you and to serve on the CADHS and ASDHA Boards. A very special thank you to Laura Corbin who was in her second year as Trustee when I started and a special thank you goes to your CADHS President, Joanne Harrelson. Joanne invited me to be a delegate and then selected me for Trustee to work with Laura. Laura’s creativity carried her well through her term. I sorely missed her companionship…CADHS needs two Trustees for 2009-2010. Elections occur at the House of Delegates.
For 2009, CADHS had two openings for Trustee. I plan to step down this year to run for ASDHA President Elect. Trustee responsibilities primarily cover attending most CADHS meetings, especially Board meetings (4 per year) and ASDHA Board meetings (4 per year), write reports and nurture/recruit the delegates/alternate including preparing them for the House of Delegates.
I encourage anyone who likes participating in communication links between members, CADHS officers and our state organization to join the fun and serve as Trustee. You will be mentored for this position. You will receive two notebooks of how-to-do-it information. You will be informed of all meetings to put the notes in your calendar. Contact me at 480-488-1859 or cherry tree@earthlink.net to JUMP IN!
Capital Day is February 23, 2010. Stay tuned for more information.
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The October Toothpaste/Toothbrush Drive for the Soldiers in Afghanistan Update
We collected 4 large boxes of toothpaste, toothbrushes etc. to send to Navy Corpsman
, C
ody Reedy in Afghanistan to deliver to the troops. Some of the soldiers pay $9.00 for a
tube of toothpaste on base. The box (one very large one) was sent out the week before Halloween and is still in transit to the Middle East. Special thanks to ADHA, Colgate and everyone who made this possible for CADHS to get these much needed and requested supplies to the soldiers.
Have you ever received your renewal notice in January from ADHA and
thought “rats! I just spent all my money on the holidays and now they
want $288!” Well, next January should be much less painful thanks to
the efforts of local petitions from CADHS as well as other components
nationwide. Starting with the winter renewal, ADHA will allow your
dues to be broken into four payments, which we expect to be in the
form of credit card withdrawals. Finally, more affordable dues
payments. Be sure and spread the word--now anyone can afford to renew
and join!
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Four Days in Washington
written by our own CADHS member Jan Midkiff, RDH Click here to read about her adventure
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SB1400 PASSED
Governor Jan Brewer signed our amended legislation concerning access June 14, 2009. The original Affiliated Practice bill passed in 2004 & we were limited to 18 yrs & under (in PH settings). As an AP RDH you have a contract w/ a DDS that is on file w/ the Board of Dental Examiners. This amendment drops the age restriction. Our dental association added that we cannot bill for an examination (which we wouldn't do anyway) and that patients need to see a DDS w/in the yr (12 months) of the INITIAL visit to the AP RDH. The patient can be seen as many time as necessary by the RDH in that 12 M timeframe. It's not exactly what we were after but our AZ legislators were not going to hear contested bills this year. In the kids clinics & current AP practices the RDHs use the evaluation code, then the DDS bills for the exam. Works OK. Our law already specifically states hygienists cannot do examinations.If you want to see the wording of the statute, go to www.azleg.gov/Bills.asp Our bill was SB1400
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Congratulations to PC and Rio Salado Graduates!
CADHS gave to each student that graduated from PC and Rio Salado a graduation packet. Gifts incuded the packet were a $20.00 gift certificate to be redeemed at a CADHS CE course or either applied towards their conversion to ADHA membership and a current CADHS membership directory. Also a honorable mention written by BETSY DAVIS herself 66 YEARS IN DENTAL HYGIENE AND STILL LOVING IT!
To read 67 years: Click here
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Congratulations to one of our own, Larry McIver now known as Dr. Larry McIver. Former Vice Presidents of CADHS dreams have been fulfilled and Saturday June 13th at the Mesa Art Center Larry was awarded his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Arizona School of Dentistry. Way to go Larry.... Remember the promise you made to some of us. You promised us a job where we could work with you. Waiting for that call. Congratulation and the best as you begin your career.
CADHS Friends
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RDH Mentors Needed!!
CADHS currently has two mentor programs - one at Phoenix College and another at Rio Salado College. We are in need of RDH mentors for these students. Any interested CADHS member or any non-member who resides in the Phoenix metropolitan area should contact either Kathy LaVoy (Rio Salado program) at th3lavos@yahoo.com or Debby Kurtz-Weidinger (Phoenix College program) at debbykw@cox.net with your contact information and they will get back to you with information.
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CADHS has the new and improved AMERICAN DENTAL HYGIENE ASSOCIATION lapel pins for sale for only $10. Wear them with pride on your uniforms and your lanyards. Support your organization. To order today: email Joanne @ low-n-fat@juno.com. Limited numbers left.
CHICAGO, IL -- (Marketwire) -- 03/04/10 -- Hu-Friedy, a global leader in the manufacture of dental instruments, acknowledged the work of two Dental Hygienists by sponsoring their trip to attend the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, which convened at McCormick Place February 25-27. Debby Kurtz-Weidinger was one of the two dental hygienists who won!
