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The PDA has helped create a vibrant , new advocacy group that will continue to grow and be a great resource for dentists , providers , funders , families and many others interested in oral health , ”
— Bets McManus , co-chair of the PCOH and Executive Director of the Carlisle Area Health and Wellness Foundation .
PDA , New Coalition Expanding Oral Health Initiatives Statewide
by Sean Connolly , Bravo Group
Any school kid who ever faced a playground bully knows it ’ s best to have a group of trusted friends behind you when you take your stand . The same is true for health care advocates facing special interest groups opposed to policies that would improve the oral health of Pennsylvania citizens . On the schoolyard and in the halls of government , there truly is strength in numbers . That is why the American Dental Association ( ADA ) encourages state associations to participate in effective coalitions to help promote policies that improve oral health . The Pennsylvania Dental Association , one of the states within the ADA ’ s State Public Affairs program , has helped establish a new statewide coalition called the Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health ( PCOH ). The coalition is comprised of health care provider groups , health foundations , patient groups , dental equipment manufacturers , dental insurance companies , universities and dental schools . Those who organize this diverse coalition know that the members won ’ t agree on every issue , but there are common goals in which all coalition members can support . The PCOH recently released a policy paper encouraging state officials to regularly review and increase provider payment rates , focusing on routine services and good preventive care . In addition , the coalition called for state officials to streamline credentialing and billing process , requiring state dental managed care organization to adopt uniform and reciprocal credentialing processes or centralize the credentialing process . In addition , the coalition is promoting public education efforts and has created a website ( www . paoralhealth . org ). The coalition recently designed a card educating patients on oral hygiene and children ’ s oral health issues that was sent to public health clinics throughout Pennsylvania .
“ The PDA has helped create a vibrant , new advocacy group that will continue to grow and be a great resource for dentists , providers , funders , families and many others interested in oral health ,” said Bets McManus , co-chair of the PCOH and Executive Director of the Carlisle Area Health and Wellness Foundation .
Robin Rohrbaugh , also a PCOH co-chair and the Executive Director of Healthy York County Coalition , echoed McManus ’ comments : “ The PDA has been instrumental in helping us draft our policy positions , create our educational material and design our website . This truly has been a team effort among all our members , but PDA has been an invaluable resource to establishing this new coalition in Pennsylvania .”
PDA ’ s Director of Government Relations , Marisa Swarney , helped lead the PCOH committee that drafted the policy paper . In addition to pushing for increased Medicaid
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November / December 2010 • Pennsylvania Dental Journal
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