Did you know that fifty percent of children show evidence of tooth decay by the time they start kindergarten? Children affected by untreated tooth decay and gum disease can be distracted from learning, miss days of school, and suffer from more serious problems as they grow up.

February is Children’s Dental Health Month, and offers a timely opportunity to remind children and families about the importance of oral health and the power of prevention! To mark the occasion, the Nebraska Office of Oral Health and Dentistry is sponsoring the first-ever Healthy Smiles Art and Writing Contest for children in grades K-8. All Nebraska children in this grade range are welcome to participate. Entries should focus on one of the following themes:

• More Than A Smile –
  How the health of your mouth affects the rest of your body.
• Watch Your Mouth –
  The importance of getting dental check-ups each year. 
  Prizes will be awarded to two winners in each category in grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8, and all participants will receive a Certificate from the Office of Oral Health & Dentistry. To be included in the contest, entries should be postmarked by February 13, 2012. For more information, please click here to obtain a flyer and entry form.
  Please feel free to share this information with colleagues, friends, and others who may be interested in participating. We hope that you will join us in this effort to engage Nebraska’s kids in creating awareness about the importance of oral health!

Thank You,
Megan Kelley

Megan Kelley, MS, CHES
Dental Health Coordinator
Office of Oral Health and Dentistry
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68509
402.471.1495 (Office)
megan.kelley@nebraska.gov
www.dhhs.ne.gov/healthysmiles

The Nebraska Office of Oral Health and Dentistry is holding a series of Town Hall meetings to discuss the Nebraska Oral Health State Plan and wants your insight.

We are looking for feedback from health providers, dental stakeholders, and the general public to make sure the Oral Health State Plan meets the needs of all Nebraskans. We invite you to attend to learn about the Plan and share your thoughts on it.

The Nebraska Oral Health State Plan will provide a framework to address the oral health needs of Nebraskans. We hope to use this meeting as a chance to identify outstanding needs not yet addressed by the Plan and to reinforce the importance of oral health in Nebraska communities.

Remaining Meetings:
Wednesday, October 12 – Omaha

CLICK HERE FOR A FLYER WITH DETAILS

All the following awards have a deadline of December 1, 2011:

• Dental Hygiene Advocate of the Year (click here for form)
• Dental Hygiene Legislator of the Year (click here for form)
• Dental Hygienist Community Service of the Year
  (click here for form)
• Dental Hygienist of the Year (click here for form)
• Employer of the Year (click here for form)

Outstanding Student of the Year – Deadline February 15, 2012 (click here for form)

NDHA Scholarship Application
(open to ALL Junior students from IWCC, CCC, UNMC-Lincoln and UNMC-Western Division) –
Deadline February 15, 2012 (click here for form)

For more information on awards – visit the Awards page at NDHA Awards

For more information and useful materials check out the ADHA National Dental Hygiene Month page at http://www.adha.org/ndhm/index.html

As healthcare providers, dental hygienists play an important role in educating uninsured patients about available health resources, such as prescription assistance programs.

One free program, Together Rx Access, sponsored by many of the nation’s leading pharmaceutical companies, provides eligible individuals and families with immediate and meaningful savings on prescription products right at their neighborhood pharmacies.

Individuals may be eligible for the Together Rx Access® Card if they do not qualify for Medicare, do not have public or private prescription drug coverage, and have a household income of up to $45,000 for a single person to $90,000 for a family of four (income eligibility is adjusted for family size).

Most cardholders save 25 to 40 percent* on brand-name prescription products. Savings are also available on a wide range of generics. The Together Rx Access Card is free to get and free to use.

There are three easy ways to enroll. And, no documentation is required.

*Visit TogetherRxAcess.com

• Call 1-800-250-2839
• Complete a short paper application and return it by mail

All enrollment materials, including the Together Rx Access website, are available in English and Spanish. A Together Rx Access quick start savings card is also available. Potential enrollees simply call a toll-free number to find out if they are eligible, enroll, and instantly activate their Card. To order quick start savings cards, visit www.togetherrxaccessonline.com/order/

For more information, visit TogetherRxAccess.com or call 1-800-250-2839.

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uch factors as the particular drug purchased, amount purchased, and the pharmacy where purchased. Participating companies independently set the level of savings offered and the products included in the program. Those decision are subject to change.

Together Rx Access and the Together Rx Access logo are trademarks of Together Rx Access, LLC. All other marks are the proper of their respective owners.