Recent News & Breakthroughs
Read the latest news stories from the Santa Fe Group, its programs and partners.
Consortium for Medically Necessary Oral Health Coverage Issues Statement on Medicare Coverage
The Consortium for Medically Necessary Oral Health Coverage commended the Biden Administration for finalizing regulatory policy that will have a direct and meaningful impact [...]
Medicare Considers Expanding Dental Benefits for Certain Medical Conditions
In an article posted on CNN’s website on October 10, 2022, Susan Jaffe, contributing writer of Kaiser Health News and Washington Correspondent for The Lancet, discusses proposed changes in Medicare […]
CY 2023 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
The Consortium for Medically Necessary Oral Health Coverage – a leading consensus-building alliance of more than 240 dental, medical, patient, and consumer organizations – has drafted comments to the Centers […]
TUNE IN FOR A PODCAST: WorkforceRx with FuturoHealth
The guest on this episode of WorkforceRx is Dr. Nader Nadershahi, Chair of the American Dental Education Association: Benefits of Integrating Oral and Medical Care. Tune in to find out […]
Recent Santa Fe Group News
SFG Submits Letter to CMS in Support of Medically Necessary Dental Coverage
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
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
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
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!
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
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
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](https://santafegroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/t4t-main.jpg "Santa Fe Group Coordinates Testing for Tomorrow [T4T] Collaborative")
Santa Fe Group Coordinates Testing for Tomorrow [T4T] Collaborative
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
Spending on Emergency Care Due to Nontraumatic Dental Conditions in the United States
As the only possible source of oral healthcare for those who have no dental insurance coverage, emergency departments are increasingly used to address nonurgent oral health problems in the United […]
June Is Oral Health Month!
June is national oral health month in the United States. Supported by the American Dental Association (ADA), oral health month serves as a reminder of the importance of good oral […]
9th Annual Linda C. Niessen Geriatric Dentistry Symposium
April 26, 2022 For nine consecutive years, the Linda C. Niessen Geriatric Dentistry Symposium has been addressing key topics to help to improve dental treatment outcomes in older adults. The […]
Your Teeth Are Worth Saving – May Is Save Your Tooth Month!
Our teeth: a gateway to nutrition, a way to signal our emotions, and a reflection of overall good health. Our teeth are truly worth respecting, preserving, and saving. Before the […]
Recent Health Leadership News
Preventive Dental Care Is Associated With Improved Health Care Outcomes and Reduced Costs for Medicaid Members With Diabetes
A new study reported in the August 2022 issue of Frontiers in Dental Medicine examines the relationship between specific dental services and healthcare outcomes and costs in Medicaid beneficiaries with […]
HELEN: The Journal of Human Exceptionality
“The place between your comfort zone and your dream is where life takes place.” – Helen Keller Named in honor of Helen Keller, HELEN is the official journal of the […]
Historic Meeting: AMA & ADA Presidents Discuss IDD Policy Change at AADMD Conference
For the first time in history, the Presidents of the American Medical Association (AMA), Gerald E. Harmon, MD, and the American Dental Association (ADA), Cesar Sabates, DDS, were brought together […]
Overjet Receives Second FDA Clearance for Caries Assist
Overjet has received FDA clearance for Caries Assist, the AI-powered dental caries detection and outlining software for chairside aid and patient communication. Following the FDA clearance last year of Overjet’s […]
Recent Medicare News
Public Statement on Medicare Coverage of Medically Necessary Oral and Dental Health Therapies
Most Medicare beneficiaries are unable to receive oral and dental care even when it is medically necessary for the treatment of Medicare-covered diseases. Historically, Medicare coverage has extended to the […]
Medicare for All – Act of 2022
Last week, US Senator Bernie Sanders introduced his Medicare for All Act of 2022 in the senate. Fourteen other senators are cosponsoring the bill, which would establish a federally administered […]
2021 Santa Fe Group Updated Plan and Cost Estimates for Medicare Part B Dental Coverage
As policies to improve dental care benefits for seniors are currently being evaluated by Congress, the Santa Fe Group has provided an updated plan for Medicare Part B expansion and an Expanded Dental Benefit. In this addendum, cost estimates for these plans are detailed.
Dental Coverage Under Medicare: Seeking Solutions
Approximately half of all Medicare beneficiaries having no dental care coverage at all while evidence continues to prove a strong link between oral disease and serious – even life-threatening – comorbidities.