Recent News & Breakthroughs

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

Recent Santa Fe Group News

A Tribute to Harold C. Slavkin, D.D.S.

Santa Fe Group · January 10, 2024 · The Editors

A Tribute to Harold C. Slavkin, D.D.S. Harold C. Slavkin, D.D.S., a founding member of the Santa Fe Group, was an internationally renowned dentist, scientist, educator, and science administrator and […]

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 […]

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

February is … Black History Month

Health · February 13, 2024 · The Editors

Up until the late 1800s, Black dentists were nearly unheard of. When the first US dental school opened in 1840, Black students were denied the opportunity to apply. Black Americans […]

February is … Children’s Dental Health Month

Health · February 2, 2024 · The Editors

Brought to the public by the American Dental Association, National Children’s Dental Health Month is observed every February. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, dental caries are four […]

Toothbrushing in Hospital Reduces Infections and Death

Health · January 22, 2024 · The Editors

Toothbrushing is potentially more effective than antiseptic at reducing the oral microbiota because the mechanical action breaks up plaque and other biofilms. Yet, guidelines have focused very little on brushing as […]

Poor Oral Health Influences Head and Neck Cancer Patient Survival: An International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium Pooled Analysis

Health · December 8, 2023 · The Editors

Poor oral health has been reported as an independent risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In a study published in September 2023 in the Journal of the […]

Recent Health Leadership News

GoMo Health Welcomes Dr. Judith Haber to Advisory Board

Health Leadership · December 13, 2023 · The Editors

Judith Haber, Ph.D., A.P.R.N., F.A.A.N., Professor Emerita at the New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing and Executive Director of the Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice (OHNEP) Program, […]

Opinion: How to Combat Racism and Bias in Dentistry

Health Leadership · November 27, 2023 · The Editors

In this op ed article published on November 8, 2023, in the California Health Report, Elisa M. Chávez, D.D.S., discusses disparities in oral health care and highlights some of the […]

For Health Equity, We Must Focus on Gender Equality

Health Leadership · September 21, 2023 · The Editors

The quest for gender equality in healthcare extends beyond representation; it encompasses the need to address disparities faced by women of color, especially in medicine and dentistry. In this article, […]

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 […]

Recent Medical-Dental Integration News

Medical-Dental Integration Shepherds Dentistry Into Healthcare to Improve Outcomes

Medical-Dental 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 […]

Integrating Oral Health Into Primary Care Is ‘Critical,’ But ‘There Is a Long Way To Go’

Medical-Dental Integration · December 19, 2023 · The Editors

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force announced on November 7, 2023, that there was not yet enough evidence to officially recommend oral health screening and preventive interventions for adults and […]

Recent Medicare News

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 […]

CMS Takes Important Steps in Addressing Coverage Gaps and Inconsistencies in Essential Health Benefits

Medicare · November 16, 2023 · The Editors

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that it is taking important steps to remove barriers to coverage for adult dental care. In the annual Notice of […]

Public Statement on Medicare Coverage of Medically Necessary Oral and Dental Health Therapies

Medicare · November 7, 2023 · The Editors

The Consortium for Medically Necessary Oral Health Coverage welcomes the final Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2024 as another important step forward for Medicare beneficiaries and oral systemic health. “By […]

Systemic Health in Autoimmune Disease: Dental Care is Critical

Medicare · August 29, 2023 · The Editors

The Consortium for Medically Necessary Oral Health Coverage undertakes educational, community-building, and advocacy efforts to expand access to medically necessary oral health care. Take advantage of their resources, which include […]