USEFUL FLUORIDATION WEBSITES

Campaign for Dental Health
My Water's Fluoride
ADA- Fluoride in the Water
CDC- Community Water Fluoridation
New York State Oral Health
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​The deadline for Round 3 of the Drinking Water Fluoridation Fund is approaching fast. 

​The deadline for Round 3 of the Drinking Water Fluoridation Fund is approaching fast.  The funding opportunities from the NYS Department of Health support costs related to the construction, installation, repair, replacement, or upgrade of fluoride equipment in drinking water facilities. Both opportunities are now posted on the NYS Grants Gateway.
 
One opportunity supports municipalities with funding up to $50,000 for the planning and implementation of community water fluoridation.  Component 1 (Grants Gateway # DOH01-DWF1R3-2016) will pay for development of an engineering report to initiate or maintain water fluoridation.  Component 2 (Grants Gateway # DWF2R3-2016) will pay for the upgrade, replacement, repair or purchase of equipment to initiate or maintain water fluoridation. 
 
The second opportunity (RFA- Grants Gateway # DOH01-DWF3R3-2016) supports municipalities seeking to upgrade, replace or repair existing water fluoridation equipment or install fluoridation systems in public water systems that have authorized the implementation of fluoridation.  Applicants may request between $50,001 and $1 million in funding.
 
Applications for both components will be accepted until November 4, 2016. 
 
More information on the grants and important dates can be found on the Department of Health website or by contacting oralhealth@health.ny.gov.

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Fluoride Funding
Opportunities Available

The New York State Department of Health has released a second round of funding opportunities to support counties, cities, towns, or villages (municipalities) that own their public water system, for costs related to the construction, installation, repair, replacement, or upgrade of fluoride equipment in drinking water facilities. Both opportunities are now posted on the NYS Grants Gateway.
 
One opportunity supports municipalities with funding up to $50,000 for the planning and implementation of community water fluoridation.  Component 1 (Grants Gateway # DOH01-DWF1R2-2016) will pay for development of an engineering report to initiate or maintain water fluoridation.  Component 2 (Grants Gateway # DWF2R2-2016) will pay for the upgrade, replacement, repair or purchase of equipment to initiate or maintain water fluoridation. 
 
The second opportunity (RFA- Grants Gateway # DOH01-DWF3R2-2016) supports municipalities seeking to upgrade, replace or repair existing water fluoridation equipment or install fluoridation systems in public water systems that have authorized the implementation of fluoridation.  Applicants may request between $50,001 and $1 million in funding.
 
Applications for both components will be accepted on a rolling basis from May 13, 2016 until August 31, 2016. 
 
More information on the grants and important dates can be found on the Department of Health website or by contacting oralhealth@health.ny.gov.

Check out the documents below for more details on how to apply:

Another Successful Spokesperson Training

On Saturday, April 9, 17 dental and other health professionals came together for the Fluoridation Spokesperson Training in Albany. Meg Atwood, RDH, MPS, Associate Professor of Dental Hygiene at Orange County Community College a Jane McGinley, RDH, MBA Manager of Fluoridation and Preventive Health Activities at the American Dental Association were instructors for the day-long course.

Trainees learned the ins and outs of community water fluoridation, from the history and science behind it to its contentious standing throughout the country. They were then given advice on how to prepare and present to a town council. By giving the trainees several mock scenarios a fluoridation spokesperson may find themselves in, they were able to practice their effectiveness using the techniques learned throughout the day. 

The next Fluoridation Spokesperson Training will take place this summer in Buffalo. If you are interested, please email Mercedes Susi, Grant Project Coordinator, for more information. 

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Past Events

2014 Statewide Fluoridation Spokesperson Training

On Friday, April 11, 2014, the 2nd Statewide Fluoridation Spokesperson Training took place at the New York State School Board Association in Latham, NY. Speakers included Jane McGinley, RDH, MBA, from the American Dental Association, Matt Jacob from the Children's Dental Health Project, Dr. Carl Tegtmeier, and Dr. Thomas Curran. The spokesperson training provided attendees with the techniques and resources needed to better advocate for community water fluoridation and the facts to rebut the opposition's false claims.

2015 Community Water Fluoridation Spokesperson Training
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Matt Jacob from the Children's Dental Health Project and Meg Atwood, RDH, MPS, Associate Professor of Dental Hygiene at Orange County Community College were instructors for the 3rd edition of the Community Water Fluoridation Spokesperson Training held in Newburgh and Syracuse this past year. 

With fears the new HHS recommendation will bring CWF into question, the training provided attendees with techniques to discuss CWF and its importance. 

The training brought together individuals with a vested interest in sustaining and improving the state of CWF through New York State.

In addition to the in-person training, there was a required webinar on the science and myths association with CWF from Erin Knoerl, MPH, of New York State's Bureau of Dental Health.

Dental professionals received 4 CE lecture credits from the training and webinar combined. 

Chair-Side Guide- Fluoridation Training

Matt Jacob from the Children's Dental Health Project and Meg Atwood, RDH, MPS, Associate Professor of Dental Hygiene at Orange County Community College were developers and instructors of the Chair-Side Guide- Fluoridation Training. 

The course, held in Newburgh, Rochester, Farmingdale, and Syracuse, has been successful in training Registered Dental Hygienists how to have successful, fact-based conversations with their patients about CWF and over the counter fluoride products. Relying on group discussions, role-play activities, presentations, and conversations between the instructors and attendees, the course reinforces the idea that Registered Dental Hygienists are often at the forefront of patient education and have the ability cultivate positive conversations on the importance of community water fluoridation and using toothpastes and rinses containing fluoride when fluoridated tap water is unavailable.

Fall 2015 Chair-Side Guide- Fluoridation Training: Saratoga

New this year, the Dental Hygienists' Association of the State of New York will offer the Chair-Side Guide- Fluoridation training as one of their courses during their 2015 Empire Conference.

Check out photos from the courses below!

Maine town votes to continue community water fluoridation

Machias, Maine- When about 25 people gathered in June at the annual town meeting here, one question on the town warrant was whether to continue community water fluoridation in this town of about 2,200.  After the vote, 23 wanted to keep fluoridation and only two wanted it gone, according to the Maine Dental Association...

Full Story

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HHS releases updated fluoride recommendation

On April 27, 2015, after years of scientifically rigorous analysis of the amount of fluoride people receive from all sources, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the final recommendation for the optimal level of fluoride in community water systems, lowering it to 0.7 parts per million. For more information on this release, including the American Dental Association's statement, please visit the ADA's website.

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Dental-Health Professional Shortage Areas

Look for d-HPSA distinguished classifieds in the upcoming issues of the New York State Dental Journal. 

By working in a d-HPSA designated area, you can help alleviate the access to care burden afflicting portions of the state. 

Additionally, if your practice is located in an underserved area and you would like to post a job opening or practice for sale for free, contact Mercedes Susi, Grant Project Coordinator. 

​Not certain what a d-HPSA is? Check out HRSA's website. 

If you want to find out if your practice is located in a d-HPSA, check here.

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Loan Repayment Programs

 Dental residents and job-seeking, new dentists with school-based debt are encouraged to check out a variety of service based loan repayment programs available to them. 

National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
The cycle for new applicants will open again next winter.

​Clinician Eligibility:

• US citizen or national
• ​Currently work, or applying to work at an NHSC-approved site.
• Have unpaid government or commecial loans for school tuition, reasonable educational expenses, and reasonable living expenses, separate from all other debts.
• Licensed to practice in state where employer site is located.

Awards:

• The NHSC Loan Repayment Program offers two levels of funding, based upon the need of the community in which a provider works, as defined by the Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) score.
• View the table for award amounts.

How to apply:

• Review the application and program guidance.
• Find a job at an NHSC approved site.
• Sign-up for an email when applications are scheduled to open.
• Apply online.

Apply to become an approved NHSC site: Applicant Checklist

New York State Primary Care Service Corps (NYS PCSC)
The cycle for new applicants will open in late 2015 or early 2016.
Send an email to request email notifications, including when applications are scheduled to open. 

About:

• Service-obligated loan repayment program to increase the supply of non-physician clinicians who practice in federally designated HPSAs.

​Clinician Eligibility:

• General or Pediatric Dentist.
• US citizen or national.
• Must participate or be eligible to participate as a provider in Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance Programs.
• Not be in breach or have any outstanding service obligations for health professionals or contracts in other services with the Federal or State government.
• Must be licensed to practice in New York State.
• Must work at least 20 hours per week, with 16 hours providing clinical services (part-time award) or 40 hours per week, with 32 hours providing clinical services (full-time award).

Site and Service Eligibility:

• 2 year full-time or 4 year part-time commitment required.
  • Additional commitment may be negotiated once initial commitment is completed.
• Site must be located in a d-HPSA.
• Site must be an outpatient or correctional facility only.
• Site must be not-for-profit.
• Services must be available to all residents of the HPSA, irrespective of ability to pay.

Awards:

• View table for awards.

Jobs

• Find a job at an NHSC approved site.
• Check out the NYSDJ Classifieds section.

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Discover Dentistry in Upstate New York

This video was made possible through the support of the New York State Department of Health, the Health Research Institute, and the Health Resources and Services Administration.

The Current State of Children's Dental Health
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The Current State of Children's Dental Heath workshop brought together a group of dentists, registered dental hygienists, educators, and public health worker to learn about six of the best practices throughout the state dedicated to treating, reducing, and eradicating early childhood caries (ECC). 

Kara Williams, MPH, from the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York presented on "CHOMPERS!"

Bridget Walsh, MPH, from the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy discussed "Keep NY Smiling."

​Melinda Clark, MD, FAAP, from Albany Medical Center and Albany Medical College presented on the importance of intertwining dental and overall all.

Dara Rosenberg, DDS, MS, MPH, of St. Barnabas Hospital Health System in the Bronx described her hospital's participation in the DentaQuest ECC Collaborative.

Christie Custodio-Lumsden, PhD, MS, RD, CDN, from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine discussed the MySmileBuddy iPad-based family intervention.

Tony Mendicino, DDS, and Carly Sisson from Finger Lakes Community Health presented on their TeleHealth initiative. 

​For more information or to join an advisory committee dedicated to linking children to a source of dental care, email Mercedes Susi, Grant Project Coordinator.