Dear fellow Oral Health Section members,

I hope that the beginning of summer 2006 finds you and your programs, agencies and institutions with support to successfully move forward the public health agendas that you have helped to craft and promote. I had the good fortune to be part of a conference call this morning (June 12) led by Brian Williams and Kate Sweeney from the APHA Governmental Relations Office. They stated that a House committee has just passed an Appropriations version that restores all the proposed public health cuts. Although it is only a first step, it now needs to go before a full House for support and then through all of the Senate procedures. APHA staff felt hopeful in that there has been a good history/record of support from the Senate for public health efforts. Cuts were restored to the CDC, and additional funding was dedicated above the presidential budget request to maternal-child health programs, infectious diseases, health promotion, and Title 7 & 8 funding. There were reductions in environmental and global health programs so we need to keep focus there. There was a strong sense that the “Public Health message is being heard,” and thanks are given for everyone’s grass roots education efforts.

There was a request for people to pay attention and participate in the “PH ACT” or Public Health Action Campaign. There is information on this campaign at the http://www.apha.gov/legislative/walkhill Web site. There are fact sheets to help you craft the message locally and in your states with data and facts about public health efforts. One of the questions that we all can ask every political candidate as they campaign for any position is, “What are you doing to fund public health?” There are many other important things we can do as well:

• Make sure that when you attend the APHA Annual Meeting in Boston that you register for an absentee ballot for the November election. You can follow the process to do this on the http://www.apha.gov/legislative/walkhill Web site.
  
• APHA is asking for recommendations for The Legislator of the Year Award. They are going to make about three awards a year. Please submit the names (local, state or national legislators) to Brian Williams or Kate Sweeney for consideration, and tell them WHY you’re recommending recognition for that person’s efforts.
  
• When your representatives leave Washington and go home in August, this is seen as an opportune time to make appointments with them in their home areas, and discuss your concerns and recommendations for improving the public’s health.
  
• APHA is also asking for you to communicate how proposed budgets are affecting your programs. They welcome your stories and input. Please go to http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi and fill in your picture.

I am eagerly anticipating attending the American Academy of Pediatrics Oral Health Initiative Project Advisory Committee/Steering Committee Meeting June 15 – 16 in Washington, D.C., representing the Oral Health Section. The work group will recommend system improvements to reduce oral health disparities in early childhood. It is an honor to represent our Section with representatives of ASTDD, ASTDD, AAP, CMS, American Academy of Family Practice, Children’s Dental Health Project, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, American Dental Hygienists Association and many others. I will keep everyone posted on the recommendations of this group.

The New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Dental Health, received a grant from the CDC and has created a state oral health plan. A major focus of New York’s Oral Health Plan is announcing and promoting the new standards and guidelines for incorporating oral health prevention and treatment strategies into obstetrical, pediatric, family and primary care practices in all health care delivery systems and educational institutions. It is very exciting for me as the executive director for Maternal-Infant Services Network of Orange, Sullivan and Ulster Counties, Inc., to think of ways to invite new partners and expand our existing coalitions, and discover ways to measure the results of our prevention efforts and treatment interventions.

Oral Health Section leadership has continued to work with APHA governance structure and with our resolution, to be clear and supportive of the Alaskan Dental Health Therapist Aide efforts. We seek alignment and synergy with everyone to bring services and resources that will empower the Alaskan people to decrease their burden of oral disease, and evaluate and measure all efforts.

Thanks to each and every one of you for the great work that you do on behalf of our communities. Please keep us posted at the Section of the work you are doing. Don’t be shy. Brag! Strut! Send some photos and stories. Thanks again for the giving and the sharing.

I look forward to seeing you all in Boston, Nov. 4 – 8, for APHA's Annual Meeting "Public Health and Human Rights". It will be an amazing meeting. Thanks to the conference committee, which has put together great sessions and posters. There are traditional awards and new awards recognizing innovation and leadership. Plus you’re a fun group to hang out and celebrate with. Please don’t hesitate to write me with your ideas and suggestions at execdir@misn.us or dyanc@pronetisp.net .

Best wishes for a great summer with family, friends and colleagues.

Sincerely,