WDEB Meeting notes

Click on the date for notes for each meeting

WDEB meetings are held the first Wednesday of odd months

November 3, 2010

January 5
March 2
May 4
July 6

November 2, 2011

Peter Theo, above
Wisconsin Delegation at Capitol 2009, left

Linda Jorgenson
Peter Theo
Jodi Olmsted

Proposed HHS Recommendation for Fluoride Concentration in Drinking Water for Prevention of Dental Caries

SUMMARY:  The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeks public comment on proposed new guidance which will update and replace the 1962 U.S. Public Health Service Drinking Water Standards related to recommendations for fluoride concentrations in drinking water. The U.S. Public Health Service recommendations for optimal fluoride concentrations were based on ambient air temperature of geographic areas and ranged from 0.7 – 1.2 mg/L.

HHS proposes that community water systems adjust the amount of fluoride to 0.7 mg/L to achieve an optimal fluoride level. For the purpose of this guidance, the optimal concentration of fluoride in drinking water is that concentration that provides the best balance of protection from dental caries while limiting the risk of dental fluorosis.  Community water fluoridation is the adjusting and monitoring of fluoride in drinking water to reach the optimal concentration (Truman BI, et al, 2002).

Dental Education Feasibility Study in Wisconsin Completed April 1, 2010

The Dental Education Feasibility Study commissioned by the State of Wisconsin is complete.  The goal of the study was to “assess the impact of a new dental school and other educational and non-educational strategies on dental access disparities for rural and urban underserved Wisconsin populations”.1  At the heart of this study was the feasibility of a new dental school in Marshfield.  At this time, there will NOT be a dental school in Marshfield.  However, this does not mean a dental school is out of the question for good.  According to the final report Marshfield Clinic has these strengths: expertise in rural health care, a strong research component, highly respected graduate medical education programs as well as a creative clinical education model.  Conversely, the same foundation is not currently in place for dental education.  Although a new dental school will not open immediately, Marshfield Clinic has been advised to position themselves for a school in the future.

The short term recommendations from the study that impact the profession of dental hygiene are:

1. Increase school-based dental care.  It is believed that 60% of the children require only preventive services, 25-30% of restorative care needs could be done with mobile equipment at schools and the small remaining percentage of children would require care in the traditional dental office.  The report feels that because of the higher reimbursement rates, Federally Qualified Health Care Centers (FQHC’s) would be in the best position to run these clinics.
   

2. Improve FQHC productivity. It is believed that employing a higher number of dental hygienists and assistants would improve efficiency.  Marshfield Clinics have initially focused on employing dentists to deal with the magnitude of disease and they plan to back fill with dental hygienists as the focus for care shifts to prevention.
   

The long-term recommendations from the study that impact the profession of dental hygiene are:

1. Expansion of the Dental Safety Net system.  These clinics can be FQHC or non-FQHC.  Either way, increasing employment opportunities for dental hygienists.
   

2. Development of Allied Dental Health Personnel.  Included in this category would be Expanded Functions Dental Assistants as well as mid-level dental hygiene providers such as Dental Therapists.  It was suggested that the mid-level providers would be beneficial to the school-based dental care programs.
   

Recommendations made and recognized on behalf of the profession of dental hygiene were:

1. Removal of practice setting restrictions.
   

2. Implementation of a career laddering system to increase the scope of dental hygiene practice through education.
   

While the work of the investigator and the advisory committee members is complete, the Department of Health Services will need to take this information and develop action plans to improve access to dental care.  As more information becomes available, it will be shared with you.

1 Report to The Wisconsin Department of Health Services: Oral Health Education Study, March 31, 2010