The Maine Oral Health Program is pleased to share its new handbook for school oral health programs.
The intent of the manual is to assist school administrators, dentists, dental hygienists, nurses, and volunteers in implementing the Program. This handbook addresses questions and concerns stakeholders have presented to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services during its administration of the Program.
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/odh/documents/2021SOHP_Handbook.pdf
In September of 2020, the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) released its needs assessment, Oral Health Access for Maine’s Veterans. Since then, MBVS has been working on several action steps to help address the report’s numerous recommendations.
Here are February 2021 updates on two of those steps: The first was to create an online dental care resource on the Bureau’s website as a clearing house of information for veterans and advocates. The second was to partner with Northeast Delta Dental to form a Maine Veterans’ Dental Network in 2021 to assist veterans who may not be able to afford necessary dental services. Modeled on a network in New Hampshire that’s been in place since 2018, the Maine network is looking for oral health professionals interested in joining in creating this resource.
To find out more, contact Dr. Mitch Couret at Northeast Delta Dental (603-496-1015 or email mcouret@nedelta.com). For now, MBVS Director of Strategic Partnerships, Sarah Sherman, will serve as the program’s point of contact and to help coordinate veterans’ transportation when needed (207-430-5816 or email sarah.sherman@maine.gov). To review the Bureau’s online dental care information or needs assessment report go here. https://www.maine.gov/veterans/benefits/healthcare/dental_access_and_information.html
This years Oral Health Hero Event was well attended as Coalition members and legislators celebrated the accomplishments of the Dental Home Initiative ( Dr John Willis, State Leader with Bonnie Vaughan IDPH & Project Coordinator, Bev Litchfield RDH, Donald Cassidy DMD, Head Start was represented by Janice Hatch, MaineCare by Luc Nya.). Kathryn Young LD and the Lincoln County CarePartners, Mary Repole RDH, and Senate President Justin Alfond.
2013 Oral Health Hero Pictures
Bev Litchfield and Dr John Willis
Mary Repole RDH and Commander Cathy Hollister
Senate President Justin Alfond and Kathryn Young LD
Dr Donald Cassidy, Dr Sheila Pinette, Bonnie Vaughan IPDH, Janice Hatch , Luc Nya