NIDCR is pleased to announce a new dental public health research training program for dentists. The full-time, three-year fellowship on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD, will equip dental professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to initiate and conduct impactful population-level oral health research that improves the well-being of individuals and communities.

 “To achieve NIDCR’s goal of improving oral health for all, it is critical to develop and retain experts with the appropriate skills to conduct relevant oral health research in an increasingly complex environment,” says NIDCR Director Rena D’Souza. “By drawing from the unparalleled resources at NIH, this program will continue this institute’s rich history of supporting a diverse pipeline of critical thinkers and thought leaders for years to come.”

The fellowship includes a one-year residency in dental public health, followed by two years of mentored postdoctoral-level training, with the fellow able to choose from several important research areas related to oral health and to receive mentorship from NIDCR and non-NIDCR staff. Training is designed to fulfill the advanced dental education requirements for the specialty of dental public health, helping fellows to become eligible to challenge the American Board of Dental Public Health examination process for specialty certification in dental public health.
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All application materials must be submitted by November 17, 2021. The full-time fellowship will begin in July of 2022. A stipend is available for eligible fellows and there is no tuition. To learn more about the program, including admissions requirements, application instructions, and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the Dental Public Health Research Fellowship page of our website.

The New York State Dental Association, through its Board Committee on Substance Abuse & Well-Being, has aided hundreds of dentists whose professional careers, families and very lives are threatened by an insidious disease. The incidence of alcoholism and drug abuse among healthcare professionals is statistically higher than among the general population. Estimates suggest that addictive illness affects between 10 percent to 20 percent of all dentists. Because 80 percent of licensed dentists practice alone, most are isolated from other professionals, making it difficult to identify problems, particularly in the early stages, and to effectively intervene or monitor recovery.
 
Since 2009, the New York State Dental Foundation has administered the Dr. Thomas Sullivan Substance Abuse Grant Program, to provide financial assistance to individuals with substance use disorder who require in-patient medical treatment. These grants are designed to assist in the payment of initial treatment costs associated with in-patient services.
 
The New York State Dental Association has contracted with the New York State Dental Foundation, as its charitable subsidiary, to administer the Dr. Thomas Sullivan Substance Abuse Grant Program, and donated $15,000 to establish the program. As part of the arrangement, applications for this program will be screened by the Committee on Substance Abuse & Well-Being, whose chair will communicate to the Foundation a recommendation to approve or disapprove. The Foundation will decide whether the grant application will be approved. The program is open to all dentists in New York State. Dr. Robert Herzog, Committee Chair, explains the importance of the grant mechanism: “The effects of alcoholism and substance abuse result in immeasurable costs to the doctors, their patients and families. The safety of their patients is directly affected. But we know from experience that intervention and support can be the lifeline these individuals need to recover and continue to lead productive lives. Treatment facilities require proof of insurance or a down payment before they can accept a dentist for in-patient treatment. Too often, when the need for treatment is urgent, the dentist involved no longer has any financial resources or health benefits from which to draw.”
 
Tax-deductible contributions to the Dr. Thomas Sullivan Substance Abuse Grant Program can be made c/o the New York State Dental Foundation, 20 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Suite 602, Albany, NY 12211. All monies contributed to this account will be used solely for the purposes of assisting impaired dentists.

Dr. Thomas Sullivan Substance Abuse Grant Program: Key Facts

Eligibility: The purpose of the Dr. Thomas Sullivan Substance Abuse Grant Program is to provide financial assistance to individuals with substance use disorder who require in-patient medical treatment and lack the financial resources necessary to initiate treatment. These grants are designed to assist in the payment of medical costs involved with such in-patient services.

Any dentist who requires in-patient medical services to treat a substance use disorder may apply for assistance under this program if the dentist does not have access to independent financing or relevant medical coverage. Substance use disorder, for the purpose of this program, is defined as dependency upon alcohol and/or any addictive licit or illicit controlled substances. No monies are available for treatment costs associated exclusively with nicotine addictions.

Applications will be screened by the NYSDA Board Committee on Substance Abuse & Well-Being’s Peer Assistance Coordinator and Foundation staff. Any applicant for a grant must meet all criteria listed below:

1. An applicant must agree to complete treatment as prescribed by a physician and follow aftercare instructions.

2. The applicant must submit a cost estimate for the in-patient program detailing the extent of the charges and indicating the          amount of the grant requested.

Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis evaluating the applicant's overall financial condition, availability of insurance coverage, and the applicant's available personal assets. The liquidity of the applicant's financial resources shall be considered by the Foundation in determining the extent of financial need.

Amount of Grant: The grant amount shall be determined by the Foundation on the recommendation of the Committee on Substance Abuse & Well-Being, but shall not exceed one-half the cost of the treatment or $5,000, whichever is less. The Committee shall be responsible for providing a statement of charges from the treatment facility to the Foundation. All such information shall be held in strict confidence by both the Committee and Foundation and shall be shared only between them for the sole purpose of administering the grant program. 

​The DDS program helps people with disabilities or who are elderly or medically fragile and cannot afford or otherwise access treatment for severe dental conditions. The Foundation has worked with DDS for many years to connect dentist volunteers with such individuals. This year, 95 patients statewide have been served by DDS – that’s $375,031 in treatment donated. 

Join HPV Alliance, Moffitt Cancer Center, and AdventHealth, for a Facebook Live event in honor of International HPV Awareness Day on Thursday, March 4th from 1-3pm EST. The virtual summit features leading researchers, oncologists, and celebrities impacted by HPV who will dispel myths, supply facts on prevention, give advice on staying healthy with HPV, share compelling stories of diagnosis, and provide empowering tips for self-advocacy.
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 Register at www.hpvalliance.org/m4

The New York State Dental Foundation was proud to help match a veteran in need of dental care with a NYSDA dentist, who volunteered his time and expertise to restore oral health. The Foundation did this via a partnership it has established with Everyone for Veterans (E4V), a service organization which seeks to provide dental care to combat veterans (and their spouses) who are having a tough time transitioning back home.
 
E4V screens low-income veterans who were deployed to combat or imminent danger areas, and then contacts dentists to find out if they will provide comprehensive care to qualified veterans. Most states have some programs for veterans, but there may be limitations in terms of age, location or sliding scale fees that are still unaffordable. E4V hopes to complement existing programs and, in the process, increase volunteerism.
 
E4V founder Dr. Theresa Cheng, who recently was awarded the 2021 ADA Humanitarian Award for her outreach efforts, is thankful for the Foundation’s involvement. “E4V needs more dentists to help veterans in New York State,” she explains. “The Foundation’s ability to connect our veterans with NYSDA dentists for the care they need is enormously helpful, and is a win-win for everybody.”
 
NYSDF Executive Director Laura Clark Stedman notes that the Foundation Board and staff are only too happy to do whatever possible to give back to our country’s veterans: “As with NYS Veterans Smile, E4V gives dentists a manageable way to volunteer, as each participant is assigned only one veteran, who can be accommodated within the dentist’s office and schedule.”
 
The ultimate goal of E4V is to provide treatment to restore health and establish adequate function and esthetics. To volunteer, or for more information, go to https://www.everyoneforveterans.org/dentists.html
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The NYSDA New Dentist Committee developed four new, never before produced webinars entitled “Survival Guide Series: Setting Yourself Up for Success.” The webinars will engage both members and nonmembers. They begin in February, with the final presentation in the series in May/June. Topics include wellness and mental health, financial planning, starting a practice, and marketing your practice and self. After each webinar, registrants will receive a tip sheet to add to their Survival Guide folder. Attendees should register for all four webinars to complete their survival guide. For more information please visit: ​www.nysdental.org/survivalguide 

Rescheduled for March 30, 2021 - ​Offered in partnership with Ivoclar Vivadent, Digital Workflow: Materials Selection and Cementation Protocol provides an extensive review of digital technologies, various ceramic materials and their properties, clinical selection, etc., to assist the modern practitioner to make optimum decisions for contemporary, esthetic restorations.
 
Instructor Dr. Shashikant Singhal, B.D.S., M.S., is passionate about dental materials research, and uses this enthusiasm to share his data at national and international scientific meetings. Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Singhal directs education initiatives and participates in the development of new products/technologies and conducts clinical evaluations for Ivoclar Vivadent, United States. He is an editorial board member of Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry, published multiple research articles, presents his research data at scientific meetings and lectures at national international venues. 

In celebration of 2021’s GKAS promotion, the New York State Dental Foundation is giving away toothbrushes on a first-come, first-serve basis to community health organizations/programs, schools, food banks, etc. The limit is one box of 144 toothbrushes, with free shipping.
 
To apply for a free box of toothbrushes, simply complete the product donation form on this link: https://www.nysdentalfoundation.org/our-programs.html and email to Laura Clark Stedman, NYSDF Executive Director.