Support for this grant program is provided by the Michigan Oral Health Coalition, through the Oral Health 2020 Initiative of the DentaQuest Foundation. The Michigan Oral Health Coalition looks to inspire communities to create networks of innovation, advocacy and leadership to improve the oral health of residents. These community networks will align data and resources, and create effective approaches to prevent and manage oral disease that can be replicated.

Past community grantees include Bay County Health Department, Central Michigan District Health Department, Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan, FirstSteps Kent and Jewish Vocational Services-Tri County Dental, Genesee Health Plan, Greater Flint Health Coalition, Health Department of Northwest Michigan, Macomb County Health Department. Through the 2015 Community Mini-Grant Program, the Michigan Oral Health Coalition will assist five additional communities in developing local coalitions. The coalition approach allows the community to find solutions to health problems and determine which solutions will work best.

“Oral health is an essential component of comprehensive health care,” said Karlene Ketola, Executive Director of the Michigan Oral Health Coalition. “We are excited to see what develops as we further engage Michigan communities to embrace the challenge and opportunity of addressing oral health disparities in their communities.”

For a complete grant application and guidelines, see 2015 Community Mini Grant Program.

Most states are not doing enough to use a proven strategy for preventing tooth decay, unnecessarily driving up health care costs for families and taxpayers. In fact, the new report by the Pew Center on the States reveals that 20 states and the District of Columbia earned either a ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade when it comes to providing children with dental sealants, clear plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of molars that prevent decay at one-third the expense of filling a cavity.

“Dental sealants are one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent tooth decay so children are more likely to stay in school and perform better in class,” said Karlene Ketola, Executive Director, Michigan Oral Health Coalition. “Michigan’s policymakers need to do more to expand dental sealant programs to reach more low-income children.”

Sealants are typically first applied to children’s molars when they are in the 1st grade, shortly after their permanent teeth appear. Although it has been 45 years since the first research paper reported the successful use of sealants, states have been slow to use this prevention strategy. According to the Michigan Department of Community Health, dental sealant rates vary geographically. Children living in the southern Lower Peninsula have the lowest percentage of sealants present on first molars, with particularly low rates among minorities.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has recognized the state’s SEAL! Michigan program as a best practice in the effort to improve dental care for low-income children who have a higher risk of tooth decay. Launched in 2007, SEAL! Michigan was significantly expanded in 2011 with the combined support of $300,000 from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration and Delta Dental of Michigan.

“Michigan has the necessary framework and foundation as it allows registered dental hygienists to travel into schools to place dental sealants, and has enough providers interested in providing school-based care,” said Jill Moore, RDH, BSDH, MHA, Dental Sealant Coordinator, Michigan Department of Community Health. “At this point, funding for additional SEAL! Michigan programs is the only hindrance to achieving an ‘A’ and more importantly to drastically reduce dental decay in children all across Michigan.”

The program currently has nine non-profit grantee organizations, working to improve access to sealants for low-income children across the state. In the 2011-2012 school year, 3,787 students were given dental sealants free-of-charge at 134 elementary and middle schools through the SEAL! Michigan program.

SEAL! Michigan Grantee Programs
1. Alcona Health Centers
Contact: Lea Krause 989-736-9838
Video Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX-xvFAUoXk

2. Henry Ford Health System
Contact: Beverly Edwards 313-874-7202

3. Ingham County Health Department
Contact: Kyle Norman, 517-272-4155
Video Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot6nslNeF9c

4. Institute for Population Health
Contact: Sally Meyer 313-324-9729

5. Ottawa County Health Department
Contact: Deb Bassett 616-393-5771

6. Smiles on Wheels
Contact: Kim Crabtree 517-740-2596

7. Thunder Bay Community Health Service, Inc.
Contact: Erika Price 989-785-5286

8. Upper Peninsula Association of Rural Health Services
Contact: Ellen Moilanen 906-228-3613

9. Western Wayne Family Health Centers
Contact: Mona Riaz 313-915-1216

Support for this grant program is provided by the Michigan Oral Health Coalition, through the Oral Health 2014 Initiative of the DentaQuest Foundation. The Michigan Oral Health Coalition looks to inspire communities to create networks of innovation, advocacy and leadership to improve the oral health of residents. These community networks will align data and resources, and create effective approaches to prevent and manage oral disease that can be replicated.

Through the 2013 Community Mini-Grant Program, the Michigan Oral Health Coalition will assist communities in developing local coalitions. The coalition approach allows the community to find solutions to health problems and determine which solutions will work best.

“Oral health is an essential component of comprehensive health care,” said Karlene Ketola, Executive Director of the Michigan Oral Health Coalition. “We are excited to see what develops as we engage Michigan communities to embrace the challenge and opportunity of addressing oral health disparities in their communities.”

For a complete grant application and guidelines, visit 2013 Community Mini-Grant Program.

This is the second straight year Michigan earned a “C” and is among 22 other states that made no progress on their grade since last year’s report.
To develop the report, Pew assessed states and the District of Columbia on eight proven policy solutions that ensure dental health and access to care for children. The policies fall into four groups: cost-effective oral health
prevention programs, such as sealants and fluoridation; Medicaid improvements that enable and motivate more dentists to treat low-income children; innovative workforce models that expand the number of qualified dental providers; and the availability of oral health data. Each state was then given a grade on an A to F scale.

The report reveals some areas in which Michigan stands out:
· Michigan does well providing fluoridated water to residents (89.8 percent) whose homes are connected to public water systems. Studies prove that fluoridation reduces tooth decay by 18 to 40 percent.

· Michigan does not require a dentist’s exam before a hygienist, working in a school program places dental sealants. Dental sealants are recognized as one of the best preventive strategies for children at high risk for cavities. Sealants cost one-third as much as filling a cavity and studies have shown that sealant programs targeted to schools with many high-risk children are a cost-effective strategy-as children living in poverty suffer two times more untreated tooth decay than their peers.

This report is the second time that Pew has assessed and graded all states on their dental health policies for kids. To view Pew’s fact sheet on Michigan and learn more details about the state’s progress on oral health, visit
http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/dental/makingcoveragematter.

The bill contained a number of provisions, with the business and pension tax receiving the most attention. The bill passed by the Senate contained $1 billion in tax relief for small businesses by repealing the Michigan Business Tax and replacing it with a six percent income tax on C-corporations. The other major component, which will raise $300 million in revenue, was the changes to the income tax exemptions on certain types of retirement and pension income. Under current law, only private pensions and unmatched income on 401(k) plans over $45,120 for an individual or $90,240 for a couple are taxed. For a detailed look at these changes, click on Pension Chart, which was developed by Senator Bruce Caswell.
 
This Monday, the Consensus Revenue Estimating conference will be held. It is predicted that for FY 2012 there will be a surplus of $500-$600 million. With these estimates, Coalition staff expects House and Senate leadership to set revenue targets with conference committees to meet soon after. Will the Legislature have a budget in place by Governor Snyder proposed May 31st deadline? The Coalition will continue to keep you updated.

In advocacy, our local relationships with legislators are critical in bringing about change. This fall, we celebrated the restoration of adult dental as a victory for Michigan’s most vulnerable. However, with a new Administration, many new lawmakers as well as an estimated $1.6 billion state budget deficit for FY 2012, we are realistic in our need for continued advocacy.

Our Coalition workgroups continue to meet and I encourage all members to participate in the Legislative Workgroup, CDC Grant Workgroup, Continuing Education Workgroup, Membership Committee, or the State Fluoridation Advisory Committee. These groups are vital to our statewide efforts.

The Coalition continues to build relationships in “small things” with a variety of state and national groups. Here are a few programs I’d like to highlight as we work to improve the oral health of all Michigan residents.

*Legislative Letter on FY 2011 Appropriations
The Coalition added its name to a Pew Center on the States letter urging congressional leadership to finalize work on the FY 2011 appropriations bills without delay, and to provide agencies of the US Public Health Service with the highest increase proposed by either the House or the Senate.

*Hispanic Dental Association
On Oct. 28, the Coalition participated in a stakeholder session titled “Improving Oral Health Access to Services for Hispanics through Workforce Diversity.” A report will be issued by the Hispanic Dental Association with recommendations on workforce, disparities and overall health.

*2010 Coalition Fall Member Meeting
Forty-five members from across the state participated in our Nov. 12 meeting. From the evaluations, members agreed it was a great opportunity to network and learn more about coalition, state and federal initiatives. A hearty thank you to speakers Chris Farrell, Michigan’s oral health director and Meg Booth, Children’s Dental Health Project in Washington, DC and member Cheryl Gildner, Ingham County Health Department for hosting the event.

*Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan Health Fair
By partnering with the Michigan Department of Community Health on Nov. 12, the Coalition utilized Smiles on Wheels, a collaborative practice model/PA 161 program to offer free screenings, oral health education and products, as well as a listing of safety net clinics.

*Conference on Oral Health of Vulnerable Adults
The Coalition invited Sherri King, Michigan Office of Services to the Aging and Kathleen Johnston-Calati, Michigan Disability Rights Coalition to join us for the American Dental Association’s Nov. 18 symposium on oral health for vulnerable adults. Anticipated outcome is a program to increase access to comprehensive dental care for one nursing home or adult foster care residence.

Thank you again for your support. It is a privilege to serve as your executive director and I look forward to another exciting year. If you have a question or would like to set up a visit, please contact me.

Sincerely,
Karlene Ketola, MHSA
Executive Director

“We can offer patients a safe, fast and cheap treatment for their odontophobia,” said lead researcher Dr. Palle Rosted, from the department of oncology at Weston Park Hospital in Sheffield, England. Other available treatments, such as distraction, relaxation techniques, tranquilizers and sedation, can be time-consuming or have side effects, Rosted said. “Moreover, in some patients, the more traditional treatments are not sufficient. By offering acupuncture, the dentist has an extra tool in his bag,” he said. The report is published in the March 29 issue of Acupuncture in Medicine. What do you think about acupuncture being used in the dental practice?

Mercatante said during her extensive research, she found “no real scientific controversy” with fluoride administered in the proper quantities. Resident Kim Turner said she was opposed to fluoridating city water,
pointing out the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s warning on toothpaste to keep it out of reach of children. Turner said she has avoided fluoride and has had no problems with tooth decay.

Mayor Bob Lepley presented a list of more than 100 national and international organizations that recognize fluoride as a health benefit in preventing tooth decay. Lepley said his research led him to take a profluoride
position. He made a motion to take steps aimed at getting another fluoridation unit for the water plant to resume the practice of treating city water. The vote was 5-1 for fluoridation, with Turner the dissenting vote.