Dental Champions - Oral Health Kansas

We’re ecstatic to announce registration for the Conference on Oral Health is open! The conference will be held on Friday, November 13. This is an all day in person event at the KU Edwards Campus BEST Conference Room in Overland Park.

There will be plenary sessions as well as breakout sessions:
• Oral Health Policy and Election Update
• Enhancing Patient-Centered Care with the My Dental Care Passport & Sensory Modifications Guide
• Resilience, Well-Being, and Success in the Workplace
• Building Your Advocacy Skills
• Shifting the Narrative: Amplifying Voices
• The State of Dental Practice: Costs, Insurance, and Access

How to register: If you do not have an account with the IRIS conference platform, you will need to set up an account. https://tinyurl.com/3f82zs2c

Regular Attendee Rate: $125 | Walk-in Attendee Rate: $150
Regular Student Rate: $20 | Walk-in Student Rate: $25

Rates include access to all meals, snacks and sessions.

If you have any questions, email Sonia at [email protected].

(Image Description: Woman jumping up and down. Conference logo with sunflower and November 13 date)

Health Empowerment Day is a national awareness day observed annually on September 9, to encourage people to take control of their healthcare journey. The day encourages simple but meaningful actions: scheduling that dentist appointment you've been putting off, asking more questions of your provider, and taking ownership of your health decisions.

(Image Description: picture of bugs/germs, a young girl covering her mouth, toothpaste and toothbrush in a cup and a peace sign of a body with a picture of a heart in the body).

September is Fruits and Veggies Month as well as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. This month focuses on raising awareness of the importance of eating more fruits and vegetables and encouraging healthier eating habits for families.
Fruits and vegetables are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that support nearly every part of the body. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables are linked to lower risks of heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, and obesity.
Fruits and vegetables play a direct role in oral health. Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery help naturally clean teeth and stimulate saliva production, which washes away food particles and neutralizes harmful acids. Vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges, strawberries and bell peppers support healthy gums and help prevent gum disease. Fiber-rich produce promotes saliva flow, which is one of the mouth's best natural defenses against cavities. Choosing whole fruits over fruit juices or dried fruit reduces sugar exposure to teeth, since juices and dried fruits tend to be more concentrated in sugar and stick to teeth longer. Also, watering down the juice can help reduce the risk but does not eliminate it. Drink in moderation!

Check out our Tips and Tricks Healthy Eating for a Healthy Mouth. Healthy Snacking for Young Children gives tips for eating healthy, not just for young children. These ideas can be for any age group. Get kids involved in picking out or preparing fruits and veggies to build lifelong healthy habits early.

Healthy Eating: https://tinyurl.com/58v3m54k
Healthy Snacking: https://tinyurl.com/y2dvb4hx

Cook’s Corner is a book full of recipes. Try out these simple, fun, and healthy snack recipes for young children. https://tinyurl.com/2jw3bjfs

Oral health isn't just a personal health issue. It has a real impact on the workforce. Untreated dental pain and infections can lead to missed work, reduced concentration, and lower productivity. Visible oral health issues can affect confidence, especially if you have to work with clients or even during interviews. Chronic oral health problems are linked to broader health conditions (for example, heart disease or diabetes) that can affect long-term employability and health costs. Workers in jobs with lower wages, part time jobs or hourly positions, may not be provided with dental benefits and are far more likely to delay or skip dental visits due to cost.

For workers or any individual who doesn’t have access to dental insurance, they can visit clinics that offer free or reduced services. These are called Community Dental Clinics. It’s very important to maintain your oral health to prevent any issues.

Maintaining your oral health consists of but not limited to:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss every day!
• Drink water to stay hydrated but it also swishes in your mouth to keep your teeth clean.
• Choose healthy food and drink options.
• Visit a dentist if possible.

For other helpful ideas, visit the Consumer Resources webpage.
https://www.oralhealthkansas.org/Consumers.html

Here's the link for Community Dental Clinics: https://www.oralhealthkansas.org/CommunityDentalClinics.html

The Inclusive Dental Practice: Serving Patients with Disabilities Learning Pathway is a self-paced microlearning series from New Mexico State University designed to help dental professionals provide more inclusive, accessible, and patient-centered care for people with disabilities. The short, easy-to-complete modules offer practical strategies for understanding patient needs, improving communication, and creating a more welcoming dental experience for every patient.

https://nmsuondemand.nmsu.edu/programs/bridging-the-gap-access-to-care-disabilities

This week, you’ll find us in the Kansas Center for Rural Health newsletter, as we share our resources for the Pathways to Oral Health Project. Education Manager, Abby Richwine, provided tips on how to make dental office experiences for individuals with a disability feel more comfortable. If you are a provider, we also have tips to help you make small accommodations to your office. Check out Abby’s article!
https://tinyurl.com/5b4vuwua

If you have any questions or if we can be helpful with more tips, email Abby at [email protected].

As we continue to mourn the passing of singer Dolly Parton, we reflect on the good work she did creating avenues for families to have access to books. Through the Imagination Library, over 300 million families with children ages 0-5 were able to receive a book every month free of charge. Although Dolly is no longer able to personally share the joys, she will continue to provide books to families and her legacy will continue.

The Brush Book Bed project is another reputable program that helps families with routines and taking care of their oral health. Below are the steps that will help you make positive efforts to good oral health while enjoying time together.

1. Each night, help your children to brush their teeth.

2. Read a favorite book (or two)!

3. Get to bed at a regular time each night.

The Conference on Oral Health will be on Friday, November 13 at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park. This year there will be no virtual option. We’re excited to have everyone in person to join us all day. This allows more opportunities for conversations and networking with people that you may not see in person very often. We’ll have plenary and breakout sessions!

Watch for registration to open next week! The topics you’ll find at our conference include:

• Oral Health Policy and Election Update
• Enhancing Patient-Centered Care with the My Dental Care Passport & Sensory Modifications Guide
• Resilience, Well-Being, and Success in the Workplace
• Building Your Advocacy Skills
• Shifting the Narrative: Amplifying Voices
• The State of Dental Practice: Costs, Insurance, and Access

Yes! CE’s will be offered. You can earn your CE’s in time before you have to renew your license by the end of the year.

https://oralhealthkansas.org/Conference.html

If you have any questions, email Sonia at [email protected]

The Excellence in Oral Health Awards deadline is Friday, September 4 by 5:00pm.

Nominate someone for the Excellence in Oral Health Award or the Ron Alexander Outstanding Dental Champion Award. Email [email protected] with any questions about the awards nominations. Thank you!

https://oralhealthkansas.org/AwardWinners.html

We extended the deadline for the Excellence in Oral Health Awards to Friday, September 4. Get your nominations in before the holiday weekend!

Check out the webpage for the application!

https://www.oralhealthkansas.org/AwardWinners.html

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