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New CPT Code for SDF Applications

The American Medical Association (AMA) approved a new CPT code for silver diamine fluoride (SDF) application by medical teams. SDF is a minimally invasive and cost-efficient preventive agent for stopping tooth decay. More work, like provider education, training, and appropriate reimbursement, is necessary to broaden the use of SDF; however, the new CPT code is an important step to increase oral health integration efforts within medical offices. Learn more here. 



Questions about SDF? Reach out to Ericca Facetti for more information.

School-Based Oral Health Programs Take Off!

The dental team at Neighborhood Health in Alexandria started a school-based oral health program (SBOHP) at William Ramsay Elementary this month. Dental providers, led by Dr. Allison Moala, partnered with School Nurse Jodi Bobbit to provide preventive and restorative dental care to students through the WOW (Wellness on Wheels) mobile unit. The SBOHP reduces barriers to care since the care is delivered where the students are – school! Learn more about SBOHPs and the Catalyst-led learning collaborative funded by CDC, of which the Neighborhood Health team is a part, at our webpage. 

Welcome Natisha and Ben!

Pregnancy Dental Benefit in Medicaid Increases Use of Dental Care

In 2015, Virginia’s Medicaid program began offering a comprehensive dental benefit for pregnant people. While we know dental coverage is an important factor to improve oral health, it doesn’t guarantee that people will actually receive care.

Drs. Shillpa Navaal and David Harless at Virginia Commonwealth University analyzed the rates of dental coverage and utilization among pregnant people between 2016-2019, and compared them to those with private dental insurance.

Their research found that more pregnant people did receive coverage and care during that time using the Medicaid dental benefit, and it reduced the disparity previously seen between Medicaid and private insurance users. However, the utilization rate of dental services for pregnant people with Medicaid is still lower than rates for their privately insured counterparts. Access the full study here. 

Summit Wrap Up

Have you caught up on what we learned at the 2022 Catalyst Annual Summit earlier this month? The energy from being together with almost 200 colleagues and friends in person was contagious. All the speakers authentically shared their expertise and left us with practical takeaways to continue our work to improve the oral and overall health of Virginians.

The slides from each session at the Summit slides can be found here; those who registered for the Summit can view the recordings using a password provided via email. 

National Dental Hygiene Month

October is National Dental Hygiene Month. Share tips and resources to support good oral health with patients and clients. Check out the resources below for more information:

• Healthy Habits for Happy Smiles (HHS)
• Tips for Good Oral Health During Pregnancy (National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center)
• Is Tobacco Worth that Smile? (VDH)
• Home Oral Care (ADA)
• Dental Care for the Elderly (VDH)

It's Time to Get Your COVID Booster!

The CDC recommends all children and adults aged five and older receive a bivalent mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech) for protection against the latest strains of COVID-19. The virus continues to mutate and spread quickly, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on your vaccinations to prevent severe disease. Check out the available vaccines in Virginia, see recommended timelines, and schedule your booster by clicking the button below.