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REMINDER: Membership Renewal Moves to January
ASTDD membership renewal will NOT be taking place in October. Instead, membership renewal will begin in January 2027. No action is needed from members at this time.
Please note that 2027 membership renewal materials, invoices, justification letters, and other supporting documentation are not yet available, as the ASTDD Board of Directors is currently reviewing potential changes to the membership model and dues. We recognize that some organizations require advance documentation for internal approval and appreciate your patience during this transition.
More information about the renewal process, membership changes, and an upcoming member survey will be shared soon. Join the upcoming Member Monday with Matt to learn more!
ASTDD's New Website
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ASTDD’s new online home is officially live, and we are excited to share it with you!
This launch comes at an important moment for ASTDD. As we move through our Readiness Period and prepare to put our Strategic Framework into action, we're focused on becoming more responsive to what members need. The new website is one of the first places you'll see that commitment take shape.
And we’re only getting started. In early 2027, the site will introduce a new member experience, improved access to ASTDD's resources and tools, and expanded ways to connect and engage with your peers.
SAVE THE DATES: ASTDD All-Member Events
Be sure to register for the following ASTDD events in October & November!
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10/14/26 | ASTDD Spotlight: Our New Website (Phase 1) | 1:00 pm ET | Register Here!
This session will provide an overview of the new website, details on the update plan and why we’ve made the change, what has launched and what’s still to come, and ways we’re engaging members to give us feedback.
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10/19/26 | Member Mondays With Matt: What’s Working, What’s Evolving | 4:00 pm ET | Register Here!
This session will touch on the website upgrade plan, updates from the Board of Directors regarding membership renewal, new membership model, and upcoming membership survey, brief updates and key insights on the progress, implementation, and next steps of the Strategic Framework progress, along with dedicated time for discussion and Q&A with members.
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11/16/26 | Member Mondays With Matt: Progress, Impact, & What’s Next | 4:00 pm ET | Register Here!
This session will provide updates on the Annual Work Planning Process, brief updates from the ASTDD Board of Directors regarding membership renewal, new membership model, and membership survey, and dedicated time for discussion and Q&A with members.
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11/18/26 | ASTDD Spotlight: Teledentistry Today — From Access Strategy to Integrated Care | 1:00 pm ET | Register Here!
Teledentistry has evolved from a promising innovation to an important strategy for expanding access, strengthening care coordination, and supporting medical-dental integration. ASTDD’s newly adopted policy statement, Teledentistry: Expanding Access and Integration in Oral Healthcare, reflects this evolution and the growing evidence supporting teledentistry across settings including Medicaid programs, FQHCs, school-based programs, long-term care facilities, and other community programs. This ASTDD Spotlight will introduce the updated policy statement, highlight key evidence and implementation considerations, and explore actionable roles for State and Territorial Oral Health programs. Participants will consider how existing programs can advance partnerships, workforce development, reimbursement policy, equitable access, evaluation, and sustainable integration of teledentistry into oral health delivery systems.
Calendar invites for these have been sent to ASTDD members.
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REMINDER: Submit an Abstract to the 2027 National Oral Health Conference
The call for Abstracts for the 2027 National Oral Health Conference (NOHC) remains open. Join us in St. Louis, Missouri April 12 - 14, 2027, with Weekend Workshops taking place April 10 & 11, 2027.
Abstract submissions for the 2027 National Oral Health Conference are now open for 60- and 90-Minute Seminars, Roundtable Presentations, General Posters, Oral Presentations, the American Association of Public Health Dentistry Leverett Graduate Student Merit Awards, Predoctoral Dental Students Awards, and Dental Hygiene Student Awards, and Weekend Workshops.
Deadline dates are as follows:
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60-and 90-Minute Seminars – CLOSED
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Weekend Workshops – CLOSED
- Round Tables – November 15, 2026
- General Posters – November 15, 2026
- Oral Presentations – November 15, 2026
- AAPHD Leverett Graduate Student Merit Awards – November 15, 2026
- AAPHD Predoctoral Dental Students Awards – November 15, 2026
- AAPHD Dental Hygiene Student Awards – November 15, 2026
Before you begin your submissions, please read the Overview of Abstract Submissions and then review the appropriate Guidelines:
The planning committee is always interested in identifying new topics and speakers. If you have suggestions for topics for sessions, please send an email with the topic title, suggested presenters, and their contact information to mzaborowski@astdd.org and david.pena@aaphd.org. We will follow up and encourage them to submit an abstract.
Questions? Please contact the NOHC Office at abstracts@nationaloralhealthconference.com.
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On the 2nd Monday of the Month,
you will hear from your ASTDD President.
Hi everyone,
I hope your October is off to a great start! Many of us recently learned that the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued a proposed rule in August—Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs [Docket No. ACF‑2026‑0595]—that would eliminate several essential oral health standards, among other concerning changes. If finalized, this rule would remove the federal requirement for daily toothbrushing in Head Start and eliminate the expectation that programs ensure children are up to date on oral health care and receive necessary follow-up. As staff in state oral health programs, many of us are limited in our ability to engage in advocacy. However, the ASTDD Foundation was able to submit comments in support of maintaining these critical protections. As stated in the Foundation’s letter: the proposed rule should not eliminate the federal oral health safeguards that help Head Start children prevent disease and access needed care.
I also want to acknowledge how valuable our listserv is for staying connected and sharing information quickly. I’m sorry for the disruption caused by its temporary unavailability. While the listserv is offline, please send any messages you would like shared with the dental director or membership listserv groups to info@astdd.org. We will eventually transition to online message boards for communication, but that option is not yet ready; thank you for your patience during this transition.
Lastly, we are excited to introduce a new feature for NOHC 2027: morning workout sessions! We hope to offer a variety of options such as shadowboxing, Pilates, and yoga. If you are a fitness instructor and would like to lead a session, please reach out to me.
Have a great month and I’ll check back in with you in October!
~ Robin Miller, ASTDD President
Robin.N.Miller@vermont.gov
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AIDPH's LGBTQIA+ Oral Health Week
ASTDD and the ASTDD Foundation are excited to partner with the American Institute on Disparities in Public Health (AIDPH) to kick off AIDPH’s LGBTQIA+ Oral Health Week, themed “Queer Health in All Health Policies.”
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AIDPH’s recent report, released in partnership with CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, finds that LGBTQIA+ people experience disparities in dental care utilization and oral health outcomes. These disparities vary by state and are often more pronounced in states with exclusionary policies.
Learn more and read the report here.
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Upcoming or On-Demand Webinars/Continuing Education Opportunities | | | |
HIV and Oral Health Webinar: Sexually Transmitted Infection and Oral Health for People with HIV (repeat of a previous posting)
November 10 at 12:00 pm ET. This talk focuses on oral presentations of bacterial and viral STIs, the risk of transmission from the oral tissues, and the importance of good oral health as a prevention strategy.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the oral presentations of common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Outline the process of STI transmission through oral tissues.
- Explain the impact of STIs on the risk of oral HIV transmission.
- Define the role of oral health & hygiene in preventing oral transmission of HVI and other STIs.
Register here.
CareQuest Webinars
From Policy to Practice: Caring for Patients Covered Under Medicare's Dental Benefit
October 8 at 7pm ET
From Stigma to Support: Addressing Substance Use Disorders in Dental Settings
October 22 at 7pm ET
Infection, Prevention, and Patient Safety [in collaboration with Association for Dental Safety (ADS)]
November 5 at 7pm ET
Diabetes Management for Dental Professionals
November 19 at 7pm ET
GLP-1s and Oral Health
December 10 at 7pm ET
Learn more about CareQuest Institute upcoming webinars and to register.
OPEN Updates
Save the Date: OPEN Annual Meeting
October 21-22 at 1:00 pm ET. Join OPEN’s virtual annual meeting for two afternoons of connection, learning, and action to advance oral health equity.
Register here.
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"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.
Nothing can be done without hope and confidence."
― Helen Keller
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