• Watch Your Mouth Massachusetts: The Watch Your Mouth Coalition Is Working In Massachusetts, New Hampshire And Maine To Make Children's Oral Health A Priority. Objectives of the Watch Your Mouth Coalition are to Educate the public that tooth decay is the most common childhood disease that can cause diminished school performance and poor overall health. WYM advocates for wider access to preventive services, such as dental sealants and fluoride, and regular dental exams for all children.
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Newsletter

Vol. 3, issue 12
December 2008

The holiday and winter season is upon us and soon we will reminisce the end of 2008 and celebrate the beginning of a new year.

Fourth Annual Oral Health Heroes Event

oral health heroes

'Tis the season to...keep you informed, and in this issue you will find a save the date to the Fourth Annual Oral Health Heroes Event on February 26, 2009, a day to honor legislators and community heroes dedicated to improving the oral health status of the Commonwealth. We also ask you to brighten up someone's day by nominating a local hero in your community today. Please scroll on for the nominee application.

Also in this issue, learn more about a historic oral health bill that is currently gaining much attention; read our monthly framing tip on when or when not to use vivid examples; and find out more about our partner spotlight, the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Lastly, remember to check out the left side of the page for new resources, trainings and events.

Save the Date-- Fourth Annual Oral Health Heroes Event is on February 26, 2009

The Watch Your Mouth Campaign invites you to save the date for the Fourth Annual Oral Health Heroes Event on February 26, 2009, a celebration to honor legislators, community leaders and organizations that have improved the state of oral health in Massachusetts. We encourage you to nominate individuals, organizations, or groups in your community that have demonstrated the following:

  • Outstanding leadership in oral health advocacy
  • Strong commitment to improving the state of oral in the Commonwealth

Nominations are due by January 11, 2008! There are several ways you can submit a nomination. Please complete an online form or download the form and email or fax your nomination to biton@hcfama.org or 617.451.5838.

For more information, please contact Czarina Biton at biton@hcfama.org or 617.275.2838.

Join us as we celebrate our fourth annual event to honor local heroes of oral health. Save the date on your calendar and we will see you at the State House on February 26th!

Nominate an oral health hero today!

It's Never Too Late to Prioritize Oral Health Policies

group photo

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts values the importance of partnerships and building relationships. Through collaborative efforts, Bay Staters have created efficient networks of information and resource sharing within academic institutions, health care facilities such as hospitals and community health centers, and non-profit organizations. The Commonwealth continues its traditions of partnerships through an omnibus legislation (S.2819) that combines several oral health proposals into one bill. Overall, this creates a system that expands oral health treatments and services available to all of Massachusetts.

The importance of prevention and improving the delivery of oral health is the focal point of the Omnibus bill. Many Bay Staters know that preventing dental disease is a feasible goal when children and adults have access to preventive and restorative care. Through the collaborative effort of the legislature, the Administration, dental professionals, and health care advocates, there currently exists a bill that, if passed, would pave the way for Massachusetts to meet this goal.

Currently, the Omnibus bill must make its way through various steps in the legislative process before it can reach a unanimous approval. The passage of the Omnibus bill will ensure that there is an infrastructure in place to improve the delivery of oral health care. It will also improve and enhance the oral health workforce by redefining the role of dental hygienists and dental assistants, and create a formal a relationship between the Office of MassHealth (Medicaid) and the Office of Oral Health (MA Department of Public Health). Overall, the components of the Omnibus bill will build the foundation to focus on the public health functions of oral health such as preventing dental disease and improving oral health status of all Massachusetts communities.

Stay tuned as things unfold for the historic Omnibus bill. To learn more about the Omnibus bill, please contact Czarina at biton@hcfama.org or 617.275.2838.

Vivid Examples: What They Mean and Why You Should Be Careful Using Them

According to Dr. Franklin Gilliam, author of this month's FrameWorks E-zine, vivid examples, or exemplifications, should be used with caution. Exemplifications are embedded in public relations to communicate the big ideas, but often, these ideas don't always work as intended or reach the end goal advocates desire.

In this E-zine issue, Gilliam provides a rationale for using vivid examples, reviews the research behind them and the "significant caveats, complications and conceits" that vivid examples present in advocacy. The article also provides its readers with a series of questions to consider before using exemplification strategies in advocacy work.

Read the full article

December Partner Spotlight: Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

by Cathleen Haggerty, Executive Director

Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

The Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MCAAP) exists to advocate for children. All Chapter efforts are focused on improving the overall health of children. The MCAAP is committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental and social health for all infants, children, adolescents and young adults. In countless ways (e.g., lobbying efforts, support of relevant legislation, formation of committees), the Chapter's 1,700+ members dedicate their efforts and resources to continually strive towards this goal. The MCAAP focuses on:

  • universal access to health care and immunizations
  • mental health services
  • oral health services
  • elimination of smoking and tobacco-related disease
  • resources for underserved children and families
  • early education and development services
  • school health
  • prevention of obesity
  • child abuse prevention services
  • universal immunization coverage
  • injury prevention services
  • establishment and maintenance of the medical home

MCAAP members advocate on behalf of all the children across the state by serving on local and statewide committees to address public policy questions ranging from vaccine distribution and disaster preparedness to environmental health and early education for all. The Chapter has worked closely with the governor's office, the legislature and state departments (in particular the Department of Public Health) to educate and serve as resources for policy makers on issues pertaining to children and their health care needs.

The Chapter's focus for 2008-2009 is investment in early childhood with a focus on prevention. This includes:

  • Universal health care for children
  • Universal distribution of all recommended vaccines regardless of insurance coverage

The Chapter and its members offer an expertise in child health, a passion for advocating for the needs of children and a commitment to being partners with the state in caring for future generations.

Learn more about MCAAP

Thanks,

Czarina



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