Oral Health Newsletter Volume 13

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) invites you to help develop and guide the Illinois Oral Health Plan V (IOHP V). Your participation will help identify community needs, address challenges, and support collective efforts in oral health.

Complete the Illinois Oral Health Partnership Survey and Community Meeting registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7Z6VV27

AND share the Illinois Oral Health Consumer Feedback Survey with your clients:
English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/752WNR8
Spanish: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/5MLKXML

Carbondale/Jackson County - October 3rd, 10am-12pm
Chicago/Cook County - September 6th, 1pm-3pm
Macomb/McDonough County - September 9th, 10am-12pm
Springfield/Sangamon County - November 4th, 10am-12pm
Rockford/Winnebago County - September 26th, 1pm-3pm
Urbana/Champaign County - October 9th, 10am-12pm
Glen Ellyn/DuPage County - November 14th, 10am-12pm
Wood River/Madison County - October 30th, 10am-12pm

The Illinois Department of Public Health recently released a report examining oral cancer incidence in the state from 1996 to 2020. The analysis found that oral and pharyngeal cancers accounted for 2.7% of all cancers diagnosed in Illinois between 2016-2020, with rates roughly three times higher in males compared to females. While incidence increased on average 0.88% per year from 2000-2019, the trends varied across demographic groups and cancer subsites. Notably, cancers associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) represented 44% of oropharyngeal cancers, highlighting the importance of HPV vaccination and regular screening for early detection and prevention. You can access the full report here to learn more about the Oral Cancer Incidence in Illinois, 1996 – 2020.

The Oral Health Section (OHS) is excited to welcome Monica Dunn, RDH, BA, PHDH, a seasoned professional with a robust community and public health background. Monica's journey in public health began with her work in local health departments and schools, where she implemented dental sealant programs for children. Her career has been marked by her commitment to increasing access to dental care by creating various programs and clinics.

Monica has held leadership roles as the assistant administrator and administrator of Edgar County public health department, where she broadened her expertise in public health, including emergency preparedness, COVID-19 prevention, and disease prevention programs. Her diverse skill set and deep understanding of public health make her a valuable addition to the IDPH team.

As the new oral health consultant, Monica aims to be a resource for Illinois' central region. She will focus on initiatives that enhance oral health education, access to care, and preventive services. She will also collaborate with the IDPH Illinois Cancer Partnership and the American Cancer Society HPV provider group, particularly on oral cancer programs.

Beyond her professional achievements, Monica enjoys family life with her husband, four children, two sons-in-law, and two grandchildren. A passionate dog lover, she recently added three puppies to her family, making her a proud owner of four dogs. Monica also loves to travel, having explored all 50 states and numerous countries worldwide.

OHS proudly introduces Wendy Szymarek, RDH, BSDH, PHDH, as the new oral health consultant for the Southern Illinois Region. Wendy brings extensive experience and passion, honed through a diverse career in private and public health sectors. Starting as a registered dental hygienist in the private sector, Wendy's growing interest in public health dentistry led her to earn a BSDH degree from the College of Southern Nevada in 2017.

Wendy’s professional journey includes managing two dental clinics for Affinia Healthcare, a federally qualified health center (FQHC), where she oversaw daily operations, mobile dentistry, staff training, and compliance with health standards. Her work focused on bridging gaps between oral and general health through program outreach. Her experience in the FQHC environment deepened her interest in health care administration, compliance, and legislation.

In addition to her dental qualifications, Wendy served as an executive administrator in the C-suite for chief medical officers at Lumeris/Essence Healthcare and owned a family business for 21 years. Her combined experiences make her an invaluable asset to the Oral Health Section.

Outside of work, Wendy enjoys cooking, outdoor activities, and spending time with her quarter horse, Bugsie. She is a proud mother to her son Gabriel and enjoys time with her French Bulldogs, Sebastian and Arie. OHS eagerly anticipates the positive impact Wendy will bring in her new role.

In this edition, we are excited to highlight Joshua Egbedimaime's remarkable journey during his graduate public service internship with the Oral Health Section (OHS). A dedicated and visionary public health professional, Joshua made significant contributions to our projects, leaving a lasting impact on our team and the communities we serve.

Joshua's path to OHS began with a strong background in medicine and surgery from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where he was a general medical practitioner for four years. His passion for public health led him to pursue a Master’s Degree in Public Health at the University of Illinois, Springfield, where he joined OHS through the GPSI program.

Joshua showcased his varied skills and commitment during his internship by taking on multiple roles. As editor-in-chief of the oral health newsletter, he played a pivotal role in disseminating vital data and news to stakeholders. He also maintained the Illinois Fluoridation Reporting System and led the design and analysis of a quality improvement report for water fluoridation compliance. Additionally, Joshua managed significant surveillance projects, including "Assessing Oral Health in Pregnancy" and the "2023/2024 HSHG Surveillance Projects," overseeing IRB applications, project coordination, and data management.

Joshua's time at OHS was transformative, sharpening his project management, data management, and communication skills. He credits his success to the supportive environment at OHS and the mentorship of OHS staff. Looking ahead, Joshua plans to continue his public health journey with a state agency, eventually returning to clinical medicine with a focus on family medicine. His experience at OHS has thoroughly prepared him for future challenges and opportunities in public health, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and innovation.

We wish Joshua the best in his future endeavors and are confident that he will continue to excel and inspire in the field of public health.