States vote on fluoridation issues
Varied outcomes summon insights on past successes

Communities in Nebraska, Wisconsin, Maine and New York addressed fluoridation issues at the polls Nov. 4 and generated mixed results. In Nebraska, only 12 of 60 communities voted to fluoridate in response to a state mandate passed in the state legislature in May. Go to full story.

St. Louis GKAS program surpasses $2 million in donated care

St. Louis—They were just like any group of kids, happy to be off of school for the day and on a field trip. Five and 6-year-olds bounced around with the enthusiasm only new adventure can evoke. Pre-teens maintained their pre-teen edge: "I know what I'm doing here," without a trace of negativity. Go to full story

Dental students, ADA benefit from House actions on Student Block Grant Program

San Antonio—By passing two resolutions involving the ADA Student Block Grant Program, the 2008 House of Delegates gave a boost to outreach initiatives that build relationships with dental students and engage them in organized dentistry. Go to full story.

House urges dental societies to create 'parallel' categories for nonpracticing dentist members

San Antonio—The House of Delegates took action last month to boost a new category of membership by encouraging constituent societies to create parallel membership categories like those established by the 2007 House. Go to full story.

ADA House eyes tobacco control education materials

San Antonio—Are the smoking prevention and cessation educational materials you use in your dental office produced by a trusted source with expertise in tobacco control? In passing Resolution 41H, the ADA House of Delegates urges dentists and health organizations to provide information to patients and consumers "developed by credible and trustworthy sources with expertise in tobacco control." Go to full story.

Oral health literacy continues to be HOD priority

San Antonio—The ADA House of Delegates continued to make oral health literacy a priority, passing three resolutions that build on its work to promote "clear, accurate and effective communication" in the profession. Go to full story.

ADA House OKs AI/AN strategic workgroup

San Antonio—The 2008 ADA House of Delegates passed Resolution 27H-2008 last month at annual session, which directs the ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations, in cooperation with other appropriate agencies, to continue to coordinate semi-annual meetings of the American Indian/Alaska Native Strategic Workgroup. Go to full story.

Elder care group begins research
Committee works in response to 2006 ADA House resolution

The ADA Elder Care Research Committee, formed in response to Resolution 5H-2006, met at ADA Headquarters in Chicago Oct. 30 and 31. The committee was formed to identify, collect and synthesize existing research on the oral health of the vulnerable elderly to identify knowledge gaps. Go to full story.

AAE board supports Association advocacy efforts

The American Association of Endodontists' 21-member Board of Directors joined the American Dental Political Action Committee Capital Club at the ADA annual session in San Antonio. Go to full story.

ADA studies scanning
Paper claim filers may benefit from sending scanned, printed radiographic images

Althought the ADA is urging industry standardization on radiograph requirement and return policies, third-party payers continue to use different criteria to determine when images are needed to support claims adjudication, and if and how those radiographs will be returned to dentists. Go to full story.

Where to go from here?
UIC College of Dentistry considers options for future partnership with village in the Dominican Republic

San José de Ocoa, Dominican Republic—A faculty-student team from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry traveled here July 11-Aug. 8 to assess the potential for a partnership between UIC and the local community to supplement dental services in the province of San José de Ocoa. Go to full story.