Recent News & Breakthroughs

Read the latest news stories from the Santa Fe Group, its programs and partners.

Recent Santa Fe Group News

The new US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Oral Health Director was announced: Dr. Gina Thornton-Evans

Santa Fe Group · August 19, 2024 · The Editors

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 …

Santa Fe Group · May 31, 2024 · The Editors

… 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

Santa Fe Group · March 27, 2024 · The Editors

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 […]

Recipients of 2024 William J. Gies Awards

Santa Fe Group · March 12, 2024 · The Editors

On March 11, at the 2024 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition, the 2024 William J. Gies Awards were presented to three recipients: Alison F. Doubleday, Ph.D, M.A., M.S. – the […]

Recent To visit our COHP Initiative Hub, click here.

WEF Article | Investing in Oral Health: Here’s Why the Time is Now

Coalition for Oral Health Policy · August 8, 2024 · The Editors

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 […]

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Recent To visit our Dental- Medical Integration Initiative Hub, click here.

WHITE PAPER: The Economic Rationale for a Global Commitment to Invest in Oral Health

Dental-Medical Integration · May 24, 2024 · The Editors

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

Dental-Medical Integration · April 18, 2024 · The Editors

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

Dental-Medical Integration · February 27, 2024 · The Editors

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. […]

Medical-Dental Integration Shepherds Dentistry Into Healthcare to Improve Outcomes

Dental-Medical Integration · January 2, 2024 · The Editors

The November 2023 issue of Inside Dentistry features an article that examines how the incorporation of dental preventive care into medical care not only closes gaps regarding access but also […]

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Recent Health News

Proceedings of a Workshop | Whole-Person Oral Health Education

Health · August 19, 2024 · The Editors

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

Health · June 23, 2024 · The Editors

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

Health · May 21, 2024 · The Editors

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, […]

May: Mental Health Awareness Month

Health · May 13, 2024 · The Editors

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a national observance started in 1949 by Mental Health America to bring attention to the importance of mental wellbeing. Across the country, individuals and […]

Recent To visit our Health Equity Initiative Hub, click here.

Quality Oral Health for the LGBTQ+ Population

Health Equity · June 26, 2024 · The Editors

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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Recent Health Leadership News

CMS Cross Cutting Initiative: Oral Health

Health Leadership · July 25, 2024 · The Editors

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

Health Leadership · May 15, 2024 · The Editors

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

Health Leadership · March 28, 2024 · The Editors

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 […]

Black History Month – Past, Present, Future

Health Leadership · February 29, 2024 · The Editors

This Black History Month, we honor those Black Americans who have changed and are continuing to change the way we view and understand oral health and its importance for overall […]

Recent To visit our Medicare Initiative Hub, click here.

The Consortium Commends Regulatory Proposal

Medicare · July 24, 2024 · The Editors

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

Medicare · July 10, 2024 · The Editors

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

Medicare · February 19, 2024 · The Editors

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 […]

Proposed Rule to Include Adult Dental Coverage as an Essential Health Benefit on the ACA Exchanges

Medicare · November 29, 2023 · The Editors

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published on November 24, 2023, in the Federal Register a proposed rule that would allow states to include adult dental services as […]

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August is National Wellness Month

Theme of the Month · August 2, 2024 · The Editors

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

Theme of the Month · July 3, 2024 · The Editors

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

Theme of the Month · June 14, 2024 · The Editors

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

Theme of the Month · June 9, 2024 · The Editors

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 […]