Recent News & Breakthroughs

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

Recent Santa Fe Group News

SFG Submits Letter to CMS in Support of Medically Necessary Dental Coverage

Santa Fe Group · August 24, 2022 · The Editors

The Santa Fe Group drafted a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in response to their request for information/comments on Medicare Parts A and B Payment for medically necessary […]

SFG Receives “Special Recognition” Award from the Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund

Santa Fe Group · August 18, 2022 · The Editors

The Santa Fe Group has been chosen as the recipient of the “Special Recognition” Award for 2022 from the Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund. This award is given to honor […]

In Memoriam

Santa Fe Group · August 12, 2022 · The Editors

The Santa Fe Group is saddened today with the announcement of the passing of one of their Senior Scholars, E. Dianne Rekow, D.D.S., Ph.D. “It was a great pleasure to […]

SFG’s 2021 Annual Report

Santa Fe Group · May 20, 2022 · The Editors

We are pleased to present our inaugural Santa Fe Group (SFG) Annual Report. This report marks our 25th anniversary as a neutral convener, communicator, and catalyst for change in advancing […]

Recent COVID-19 News

COVID-19 CHALLENGES AND CONSEQUENCES: Two Years and Still Not Over!

COVID-19 · April 19, 2022 · The Editors

Executive Summary On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. By March 11, 2020, the number of cases […]

Update to Position Paper Series on COVID-19 Consequences and Challenges: A Look at April & May 2021

COVID-19 · June 22, 2021 · The Editors

This June 1 position paper update on COVID-19 focuses on the progress that has been made since the end of March 2021, identifies new developments – including vaccine updates - and addresses the most pressing challenges still facing the healthcare community.

New Position Paper Series Focuses on COVID-19 Consequences

COVID-19 · November 8, 2020 · The Editors

Examines the Role of Oral Health Care Providers in Current and Future Public Health Challenges The Santa Fe Group, an action-oriented think tank seeking to improve lives through oral health, […]

Santa Fe Group Coordinates Testing for Tomorrow [T4T] Collaborative

COVID-19 · October 19, 2020 · The Editors

T4T Education & Industry leaders seek to Identify Best Point of Care Test The Santa Fe Group is proud to coordinate the Testing for Tomorrow [T4T] Collaborative and announce its […]

Recent Health News

Poor Dental Health May Increase Alzheimer’s Risk

Health · August 23, 2023 · The Editors

A new study published on July 5 in Neurology has found an association between tooth loss, gum disease, or periodontal disease, and a shrinking of the brain area thought to […]

Improving Access to Oral Health Care: Integrating Dental Hygienists Into Federally Qualified Health Center Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics In Michigan

Health · August 18, 2023 · The Editors

Dental hygienists (DHs) are well positioned to be part of primary care teams to increase access to oral health care, particularly for those who encounter barriers to oral care, such […]

Evidence Mounts for the Use of SDF

Health · August 15, 2023 · The Editors

In 2017, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommended that silver diamine fluoride (SDF) be used “for the arrest of cavitated caries lesions in primary teeth as part of a comprehensive […]

Disabilities and Dental Care: Why More Must Be Done to Improve Access

Health · August 8, 2023 · The Editors

Many people with disabilities have physical conditions that exacerbate dental problems. Access to dental care is also challenging for these individuals for a variety of reasons. As part of its […]

Recent Health Leadership News

Meharry School of Dentistry to Launch New Innovation Center for Dental Education

Health Leadership · July 31, 2023 · The Editors

Meharry Medical College’s School of Dentistry will launch a new innovation center to house the latest in dental technology and materials to prepare students for modern-day dental practice. The center […]

Dennis Mitchell to Serve as Interim Provost

Health Leadership · June 30, 2023 · The Editors

Dennis Mitchell, D.D.S., M.P.H., has been named Interim Provost, effective July 1, 2023. Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger praised Mitchell’s long record of service and contributions to the University […]

Founding Core of New KCU Dental School in Joplin

Health Leadership · June 26, 2023 · The Editors

Linda Niessen, D.M.D, M.P.H., M.P.P., Founding Dean of Kansas City University’s College of Dental Medicine, has gathered around her a strong core of insightful female doctors to create the curriculum […]

Ann Battrell – In Memoriam

Health Leadership · June 9, 2023 · The Editors

The Santa Fe Group is saddened with the announcement of the passing of Ann Battrell, M.S.D.H., CEO of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. Ms. Battrell passed away on June 7, […]

Recent Medicare News

CMS Physician Payment Rule Advances Health Equity

Medicare · July 20, 2023 · The Editors

CMS Physician Payment Rule Advances Health Equity On July 13, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the calendar year 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule to […]

CMS Overhauls Direct Contracting Model to Include New Requirements on Governance, Health Equity in 2023

Medicare · March 14, 2023 · The Editors

In response to priorities of the Biden administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has redesigned the Global and Professional Direct Contracting (GPDC) Model to add new requirements to […]

Nominations for Medically Necessary Dental Treatment Coverage

Medicare · February 24, 2023 · The Editors

In accordance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) commitment to a continued review of scientific data pursuant to the expansion of Medicare Parts A and B Payment […]

Consortium for Medically Necessary Oral Health Coverage Issues Statement on Medicare Coverage

Medicare · November 2, 2022 · The Editors

The Consortium for Medically Necessary Oral Health Coverage commended the Biden Administration for finalizing regulatory policy that will have a direct and meaningful impact [...]