Discourse in Dentistry: Be the Dental Bridge | |
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I just had a wonderful discussion with a colleague who’s doing great work in Washington. Lolinda Turner, with Delta Dental of Washington, is on a mission to introduce dentistry to elementary, middle, and high school students—particularly students in communities of color. I commend her for being a catalyst for positive change and a solution source for the staffing shortages that affect oral health professionals statewide.
In fact, so many of us can be a solution source for this challenge. Following Lolinda’s lead, I encourage you all to spread knowledge of your industry and career with the next generation. Be open about your path to dentistry and show young students that it's a possible path for their own future.
This is such a simple step we can all take. When an opportunity arises to have a conversation about dentistry, have it. When a career day at a nearby school occurs, volunteer. The ADA has helpful flyers and resources on promoting the dental profession and recruiting future team members.
For many people, dentistry can seem mysterious or intimidating. By sharing from your genuine experience, you may make the difference in a student’s trajectory and inspire the next great clinician—not to mention begin closing the staffing gaps so many offices are experiencing.
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Carl George is DentistLink's Senior Outreach Specialist. Prior to joining Arcora Foundation, he worked in management roles for a high-volume dental laboratory as well as a dental equipment and supply company. DentistLink aims to improve access to care by supporting the needs of our state's oral health professionals.
See how we can support your practice. Connect with Carl at cgeorge@arcorafoundation.org.
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Latest Apple Health (Medicaid) dental program Facts and Figures Report shows promising growth | |
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Over a quarter of Washington state's children and adults (27%) receive their dental benefits through Apple Health (Medicaid)—or more than 1 million adults and 1 million children.
The latest Apple Health Dental Program Facts and Figures Report provides insight into the use and expenditures associated with dental services for Apple Health enrollees. The report covers FY 2008 – FY 2020, with all data provided by the Washington State Health Care Authority.
According to the report, Washington state has a higher dentist to population ratio than the national average. However, dental providers are unevenly distributed across counties. For example, rural areas of Washington have a disproportionately lower supply of dental providers compared with urban areas.
When people seek and receive oral health care early, we can prevent disease and treat small problems, so that they don’t lead to serious and costly health problems. We thank our state's Apple Health providers and advocates for closing the access gap and helping more Washingtonians reach their full health potential.
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Return of in-person trainings this fall | |
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During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Arcora Foundation’s continuing education program went fully remote, hosting a variety of webinars and offering a library of stored courses over the past two and a half years. Now, we are excited to share that our in-person CDE trainings are back!
Join Arcora and industry leaders for free continuing education opportunities in Seattle and Spokane this fall. Registration is free, but each course is limited to 50 participants.
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Improving Oral Health for Older Adults
CDE credits: 6
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Oct. 15, 2022
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
(breakfast and lunch provided)
Seattle Convention Center
705 Pike Street
Register by Oct. 1, 2022.
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Handling Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office
CDE credits: 2
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Nov. 3, 2022
5:30 - 8 p.m.
(light dinner provided)
Spokane Convention Center
334 W Spokane Falls Blvd
Register by Oct. 27, 2022.
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Can't attend these in-person events? Visit our Oral Health Learning Hub to take free, high-quality online CDE courses on your own schedule. Sign up for our CDE mailing list to be the first to receive invites to upcoming in-person and virtual trainings.
Arcora Foundation is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
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Upcoming SmileMobile schedule | |
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There SmileMobile fall schedule is here! Earn CDE credits by volunteering on our mobile dental van at a clinic near you—up to 7 for dentists and up to 5 for hygienists. Half-day and full-day volunteer slots are available at all clinics.
If you have any questions about the SmileMobile or would like to get involved as a volunteer, contact Karri Amundson at kamundson@arcorafoundation.org.
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| Date | Clinic Location | | Oct. 3 – 6 | Nespelem | | Oct. 10 – 14 | Omak | | Oct. 17 – 21 | Pasco | | Oct. 24 – 28 | Vancouver | | Oct. 31 – Nov. 4 | Pacific County - TBD | | Nov. 7 – 11 | TBD | | Nov. 14 – 18 | Tukwila | | Nov. 21 – 23 | Shelton | | Nov. 28 – Dec. 2 | Shelton | | |
Explore our fall calendar of events | |
Continuing dental education | |
Oct. 6-8 | SeaTac
Surgical Extractions for the General Dentist - Three-Day Hands-On & Live Patient Training
| For general dentists who wish to expand beyond simple dental extractions, and want to gain a better understanding on the fundamentals of safe, surgical extraction techniques. | | |
Oct. 15 | Seattle
Improving Oral Health for Older Adults - In-Person CDE Training
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Our team of experts will share their perspectives on serving older adults and deliver a course on how to manage and treat the oral health of older adults. This course is targeted to general dentists looking to expand their expertise in delivering optimal dental care to a diverse community‐dwelling older adult population.
Learn more: Arcora Foundation.
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Nov. 3 | Spokane
Handling Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office - In-Person CDE Training
| During this interactive course, Dr. Fonner will discuss important ways to prepare your dental team for any urgent scenario that may occur in the dental office, including the development of an effective emergency kit. She will also introduce the use of a free tool called Ten Minutes Saves A Life! Lastly, Dr. Fonner we will discuss how to recognize and manage common emergencies. | | |
Nov. 10-12 | Seattle
Pacific Northwest Dental Conference
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Join thousands of dental professionals at PNDC 2022 for a weekend of high-quality, affordable dental CE (earn 20+ credits), a two-day dental exhibit hall and more at Washington's dental event of the year.
The Arcora Foundation team looks forward to seeing you there!
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Oct. 1 |Seattle
Atlantic Street Center Gala
| Atlantic Street Center is back for the first in-person gala in nearly three years. Organizers are excited to join supporters and participants to celebrate recent wins and collaborate on what comes next. These last few years have been some of the most challenging, but the center is more steadfast than ever to serve youth and families in South Seattle. | | |
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Oct. 7| King County
King County First Friday Forum
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Provides information, updates, training and advocacy for community-based organizations, health care providers, outreach workers, Navigators and anyone who desire to help the most vulnerable.
Learn about the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Apple Health and Medicaid programs, publicly sponsored programs, King County ORCA Lift program, application process, how to problem solve health care enrollment issues and access to health care services.
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Oct. 15 |Seattle
Northwest Kidney Centers Discovery Gala
| Please join us for Northwest Kidney Centers 2022 Discovery Gala and auction. In celebration of their 60th anniversary, organizers hope to raise $1 million to support equitable life-saving care and transformative research. | | |
Nov. 12 |Online
Addressing Oral Health among Underserved Communities Conference
| This free conference is dedicated to Community Health Workers, health educators, nutritionist, and dental staff and other professional of health who work with underserved communities, particularly from FQHCs. | | |
Visit our programs and resources online: | |
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Know others who may benefit from this newsletter? They can join our mailing list here. If you have ideas on how our communications can better serve you and your team, email us at info@arcorafoundation.org.
You are receiving this email because you previously joined us in our efforts to bend the arc of oral health toward equity or opted in via our website. We thank you for your valued partnership.
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Our mission: Bending the arc of oral health toward equity.
Our vision: All people enjoy good oral and overall health with no one left behind.
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