Written by Kim Kuhlmann, External Affairs Manager
The ND Oral Health Coalition annual in-person meeting was held on September 17. Coalition members gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of members over the past year and share ideas to continue improving access to oral health care for all North Dakotans. The coalition’s efforts to improve access to oral health for all aligns with CHAD’s mission, and we appreciate the opportunity to serve as the facilitator for the ND Oral Health Coalition.
Special thanks to Family HealthCare’s Moorhead Dental Clinic for hosting the meeting within their building. Attendees enjoyed touring the dental clinic and meeting the University of Minnesota dental students who are on 4-week rotations at Family HealthCare, in addition to hearing a presentation about the U of M’s new rural career track for dental students.
The meeting kicked off with a review of the legislative and non-legislative progress the coalition made this year toward the goals of improving dental access and addressing the oral health workforce shortage. Last year, coalition members identified ten goals to work on, and eight out of the ten had at least some activity reported by coalition members.
Susan McKernan, DMD, MS, PhD, Associate Professor in the Division of Dental Public Health at the University of Minnesota presented on the new Dental Career Tracks program that is available to dental students at the U of MN starting this year (Class of 2028 DDS). This program provides a customized educational experience to increase student readiness for different careers in dentistry. A rural career track is available for students to focus on the unique challenges and opportunities that rural dentists experience. Each student receives mentoring from a practicing dentist in a rural community. The other career tracks currently include Academic Dentistry to prepare students for careers in dental education, Dental Research for students interested in dental specialty fields, and Clinical Practice and Leadership to support students in becoming successful clinic practitioners, business managers, and community leaders. Note: they are looking for more rural dentists to mentor students. To learn more contact Kim Kuhlmann at CHAD.
Among the DDS class of 2028, almost a quarter are interested in the rural dentistry career track. The DDS, Master of Dental Therapy, and B.S. Dental Hygiene students participate in 8-12 weeks of extramural rotations during their last year at 21 affiliate clinics in MN, ND, and SD along with a mobile dental unit. Family HealthCare and Horizon Health are both CHAD members who participate in hosting students for fourth year rotations with the U of MN.
North Dakota Representative Mary Schneider of District 21 (Fargo) was the primary sponsor on a bill to create an oral health study for the interim legislature. Representative Schneider reviewed the study, shared her vision, and encouraged members to participate in the legislative process for the study as an opportunity to drive solutions for improving oral health access. Coalition members discussed ideas for providing input on the study, which will consider the unmet oral and dental health needs of low-income children, Native American children, and individuals with disabilities. Coalition members will meet this week to coordinate member participation in the November Interim Health Care Committee meeting.
Rachael Buchwitz with ND Medicaid provided an overview of the Rural Health Transformation Program and demonstrated the new procedure code look-up tool that Medicaid launched in May. Several of the coalition members submitted ideas for the RHTP as part of the survey that closed on September 12. Medicaid has several listening sessions scheduled for early October (Register Here).
Toni Hruby with the ND HHS Oral Health Program shared updates about the school-based fluoride varnish and sealant programs (SealND!). During the 2024-2025 school year, 69 schools received visits from SealND! with 4,275 applications of fluoride varnish and 4,858 teeth protected with dental sealants. SealND! partners with private practice providers, community health centers, public health partners, and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, and has one public health dental hygienist supported by OHP.
Thank you to Family HealthCare for hosting tours and helping coordinate the meeting space. Thank you to the ND Dental Foundation for sponsoring lunch. Thank you to everyone for your participation, engagement, and support for the work of the ND Oral Health Coalition.
