The MOHC Fall Member and Community Meeting will provide an update on the coalition's progress, future goals, and strategic direction. Attendees of this virtual program will receive critical information on key policy initiatives, focusing on the advocacy efforts shaping the future of oral health in Michigan. This meeting will ensure members are informed and engaged in the coalition's ongoing work to address oral health disparities and improve access to care statewide.

Presented by Marita R. Inglehart, this course provides an essential introduction to the concept of implicit bias, focusing on its impact in healthcare, specifically within dental practice. Implicit biases are unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that influence our actions and decisions, often without our awareness. In this course, participants will learn how implicit biases can be demonstrated, their significance in both personal and professional settings, and how these biases can affect patient care.

This course meets the implicit bias training requirement for all professions licensed or registered under the Michigan Public Health Code. There are only 500 seats available - register today!

The Michigan State House and Senate both returned to the capitol to conduct legislative business on September 25. Since adjourning, only the Senate has returned to conduct floor business and committee meetings in order to set bills up for further action when the House returns to a normal legislative schedule. At this time, House members continue to campaign in their districts ahead of the November 5 general election where the Democrats are working to keep their majority and Republicans are working to flip the House.

The legislative schedule for the remainder of the year is expected to be clearer following certification of the election results. Whether or not the Democrats keep the House will dictate priorities for the remaining session days.

State Budget Update

Fiscal Year 2024 – 2025 began on October 1. Currently, state departments are planning their asks for next year’s budget recommendations which will kick off in February with the presentation of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s FY 2025 – 2026 Executive Recommendations.

Regulatory Update

Governor Appoints Members to the Board of Dentistry

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced appointments to the Michigan Board of Dentistry, which regulates the practice of dentistry and specialty fields in the state. The newest board member is Delbert Denkins of Berrien Spring. He is a commercial real estate appraisal and evaluation manager at Huntington National Bank and is appointed to represent the general public. Denkins term began on October 10 and will expire June 30, 2027. He succeeds Fonda Brewer whose term expired.

Policy Committee Update

MOHC continues to work on finalizing policy priorities for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 as we prepare for the new legislative session to begin in 2025 and subsequent presentation of the Governor’s Executive Budget Recommendations.

As House members and candidates continue their campaigns throughout October until the November 5 election, we encourage members to meet the candidates running in their districts in an effort to identify oral health advocates across the state.

Please reach out to Emily Henderson at emily@mccallhamilton.com with questions.