Recent News & Breakthroughs
Read the latest news stories from the Santa Fe Group, its programs and partners.
Public Statement on Medicare Coverage of Medically Necessary Oral and Dental Health Therapies
The Santa Fe Group is one of over 250 signatories of a collaborative statement advocating for the integration of oral health into diabetes care. This initiative underscores the critical link […]
World Diabetes Day
World Diabetes Day is a global campaign that reaches over one billion people in over 160 countries. It is marked every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, […]
Indigenous Peoples Day & Oral Health
Indigenous Peoples Day, celebrated on the second Monday of October, has its origins as a response to Columbus Day. The first official celebration occurred in 1992, coinciding with the 500th […]
Dental Hygiene Month
National Dental Hygiene Month is observed every October to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene. It aims to promote the benefits of regular dental check-ups, proper […]
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International Podcast Day
In 2014, National Podcast Day was celebrated and after quickly realizing the power of podcasts internationally, it was rebranded into what it is today: International Podcast Day, celebrated every year […]
The new US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Oral Health Director was announced: Dr. Gina Thornton-Evans
Dr. Gina Thornton-Evans, D.D.S., M.P.H., was recently appointed as the director of the Division of Oral Health (DOH) in CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. In […]
Article: Caring for Older Americans’ Teeth and Gums is Essential, but …
… Medicare generally doesn’t cover that cost. To help make the medical profession pay more attention to the importance of healthy teeth and gums, Surgeon general, C. Everett Koop, would […]
Santa Fe Group Secures Grant from CareQuest Institute to Launch Coalition to Advocate for Oral Health Care Policy Reform
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health has awarded a grant of $125,000 to the Santa Fe Group to establish a center to identify key issues facing the dental profession, prepare policy […]
Recent To visit our COHP Initiative Hub, click here.
WEF Article | Investing in Oral Health: Here’s Why the Time is Now
Almost half the world’s population – 3.5 billion people – are impacted by oral diseases that not only imperil their ability to eat or speak but also put them at […]
Recent To visit our Dental- Medical Integration Initiative Hub, click here.
Watch: “Why is healthcare disjointed?”
Watch Dr. Suzie Bergman’s recent TEDx talk about her personal and professional experience with TMD advocating for a more integrated approach to healthcare. By sharing her story, she highlights the […]
WHITE PAPER: The Economic Rationale for a Global Commitment to Invest in Oral Health
This white paper from the World Economic Forum, written in partnership with the American Dental Association, Colgate-Palmolive Company and Henry Schein, outlines the economic rationale for investing in oral health. […]
Dr. Judith Haber Appointed to Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ Initiative
Judith Haber, Ph.D., A.P.R.N., F.A.A.N., Executive Director of the Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice Program (OHNEP), has been appointed to the National Scientific Advisory Group of the American Heart […]
Early Detection of Oral Cancer
A new test developed by University of Illinois Chicago researchers allows dentists to screen for the most common form of oral cancer with a simple and familiar tool: the brush. […]
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Breast Cancer Awareness
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an international health campaign that’s held every October. The month aims to promote screening and prevention of the disease, which affects 2.3 million women worldwide. […]
Proceedings of a Workshop | Whole-Person Oral Health Education
In February 2024, the National Academies Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professional Education co-hosted a public workshop with Penn Dental Medicine to explore value proposition for oral health promotion and disease […]
Resources: Dentistry and Mental Health
Packed with practical resources, discussing the bi-directional relationship between oral health and behavioral health, a framework for integrating behavioral health and oral health in predoctoral education, and resources that are […]
AA and NHPI Heritage Month
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Heritage Month! This month is an opportunity to recognize the many ways AA and NHPI history, culture, leadership, […]
Recent To visit our Health Equity Initiative Hub, click here.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Latinas and Latinos have always held significant roles throughout our country’s history, dating all the way back to the American Revolution. Hispanic Heritage Month is important because it provides an […]
HHS & CMS News | August 2024
August 1, 2024 — HHS Finalizes New Policies to Support Underserved Communities, Mitigate Drug Shortages, and Promote Patient Safety in Hospitals New Mandatory Model to Improve Health Outcomes Post-Surgery and […]
Quality Oral Health for the LGBTQ+ Population
Many LGBTQ+ individuals face health disparities linked to societal stigma and discrimination that equate to a denial of their civil and human rights. Identified as a “health disparity population,” this […]
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ADEAGies Foundation® Announces Recipients of the Gies Award for Eminence in Innovation, Gies Award for Eminence in Vision and Leadership and the Gies Award for Eminence in Achievement
The ADEAGies Foundation Gies Awards highlight the significant contributions of individuals, institutions and public/private partners whose work represents the highest order of Innovation, Achievement, Vision and Leadership. The honorees were chosen by […]
CMS Cross Cutting Initiative: Oral Health
As part of the CMS Strategic Plan, the Oral Health Cross-Cutting Initiative (CCI), led by the CMS Chief Dental Officer, Natalia I. Chalmers, DDS, MHSc, PhD, seeks to achieve equal […]
Article: The Value of a Global Mindset
Across the globe, millions of people lack oral health care. Others are going to great lengths to access it. Almost half of the world’s population experiences oral diseases, and health […]
Nader Nadershahi Reappointed to the California Health Workforce Education and Training Council
On March 13, Nader Nadershahi, D.D.S, M.B.A., Ed.D., Dean of the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, was reappointed by California governor Gavin Newsom to the […]
Recent To visit our Medicare Initiative Hub, click here.
The Santa Fe Group Submits their Comments to the CMS on the CY 2025 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
On September 9, 2024, the Santa Fe Group submitted their comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the proposals and request for information on Medicare Parts […]
The Consortium Commends Regulatory Proposal
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing to further clarify Medicare payment, extending access to medically necessary oral care services to Medicare beneficiaries with End Stage Renal […]
HHS Proposes Physician Payment Rule to Drive Whole-Person Care and Improve Health Quality for All Individuals with Medicare
On July 10, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), proposed new policies in the calendar year (CY) […]
The Santa Fe Group Submits Nomination of Dental Services for Medicare Coverage for Individuals With Diabetes
On February 2, 2024, the Santa Fe Group submitted their nomination to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to request coverage of medically necessary dental services for individuals […]
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August is National Wellness Month
August is National Wellness Month. It encourages individuals to incorporate healthy routines into their daily lives. One aspect of wellness that often goes unnoticed is oral health. Our oral health […]
National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month
July is National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month (NCCAPM). Cleft and craniofacial conditions affect thousands of infants, children, teens and adults in the United States each year. Some […]
June: Men’s Health
Men’s Health Week, celebrated this year from June 10 – 16, honors the importance of the health and wellness of boys and men. It was created by Congress in 1994 […]
June: Oral Health Month
Let’s Talk Teeth: June is Oral Health Month! Not only does maintaining good oral health contribute to a winning smile, but it also plays a crucial role in our overall […]
