August 8, 2008

Michigan CDHC Update
On June 19, a bill to establish the Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC) provider was introduced in the Michigan state legislature. SB 1400 would establish a CDHC pilot program to allow CDHCs to practice in areas designated as “dentally underserved” by the state board of dentistry.  The pilot program would be four years in length but it could be extended.

The proposed bill would enable CDHCs to take radiographs, apply fluorides, coronal polish, place temporary restorative materials, and scale Type I gingivitis patients, among other services.  The bill directs the CDHC to work under the supervision of a dentist, although the level of supervision is not articulated.  The provider would not be licensed by the state and would be required to complete a training program accredited by the “American Dental Association’s Workforce Models National Coordinating and Development Committee” and the ADA’s “Curriculum Committee.”

The legislation is pending in the Senate Committee on Families and Human Services. To date, no hearing date has been set.

Interact with 55,000 colleagues
Access magazine goes out to 55,000 dental hygiene professionals in the United States. With every robust edition, Access is increasingly becoming the dental hygiene publication that you read from cover to cover.

Some of the hottest oral health innovations right now involve the technology used to detect oral cancer. Do you work in a practice that goes beyond the traditional head-and-neck examination to incorporate high-tech oral cancer detection? Access might like to interview you about the type of product(s) you use, what it takes to learn to use them effectively, how patients react to them, and any other observations you have to share with Access readers. Email ChristineH@adha.net and title your email Oral Cancer Detection.

The aesthetic aspect of oral health care has had a huge impact on patient desires. Has it had an impact on your practice? Whether you work in a practice with a cosmetic focus, or a general practice that offers cosmetic services, tell us about your involvement. Do you perform in-office whitening, instruct patients in at-home whitening procedures, or have a favorite system or products to recommend? Email JeanM@ADHA.net and title your email Cosmetic Dentistry.

Access wants your questions for our “Nutrition” column. Please send your nutrition inquiries to Dr. Luisa Nappo-Dattoma at JeanM@adha.net, and title your email message Nutrition Inquiries.

Access’ “Infection Control” column premiered in the August 2006 issue with an article on avian influenza by Louis DePaola, DDS. Since then, he and coauthor Jacquelyn L. Fried, RDH, MS, have written columns on face masks, handwashing, microbial resistance and allergies. What other infection control topics would you like to see covered in this column? Do you have any questions about infection control that you would like our experts to address? Let us know by emailing JeanM@adha.net, and title your email message Infection Control Inquiries. As a reminder, previous columns appeared in Access in August 2006; May-June and November 2007; and March and July 2008.

What do you consider the Hot Topics in Oral Health Care for 2008? Access wants to wrap up the year with a review of the innovative products and cutting-edge techniques that have the profession buzzing. Send your suggestions to JeanM@adha.net and title your email Hot Topics. Someone may contact you for an interview!

E-NEWSLETTER DISCLAIMER
To ensure you continue to receive our newsletter, please add broadcast@adha.net to your recipients list (not bulk or junk folders), and log in to your membership record at www.adha.org to update your contact information. The newsletter is sent to the email address on file. Do not reply to this email to update your email address.