Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Episode: Dr. Richard Selko, Chief Dental Officer at UPMC Health Plan
Date: October 26, 2025
Host: Jacob Emerson

Overview

This episode features Dr. Richard Selko, Chief Dental Officer at UPMC Health Plan, discussing the challenges and solutions around dental care access, particularly within rural communities. Dr. Selko shares insights from his decades-long career in dentistry and dental benefits, details UPMC’s multi-faceted strategies for connecting members with care, and spotlights innovative community initiatives to bridge access gaps. The conversation highlights the integration of oral and overall health, the importance of education and prevention, and the resilience of dental professionals post-pandemic.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Dr. Selko’s Background and Role at UPMC

• Dr. Selko’s 40+ year career spans private practice, national dental insurance, and leadership at UPMC (00:31).
• As Chief Dental Officer, he oversees Medicaid and commercial dental benefits administration at UPMC Health Plan.

Differences Between Rural and Urban Dental Care (03:09)

• Urban Advantage:
  • In cities like Pittsburgh, dental access isn’t typically an issue due to abundance of dentists, specialists, and proximity to dental schools.
• Rural Challenges:
  • Finding full-time dental providers and specialists is difficult.
  • Many rural areas rely on federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), which may only have part-time dentists.
  • "It's very challenging to find qualified people to want to live and work in rural communities." — Dr. Selko (03:34)
  • Transportation, weather, and low population density amplify access problems.

UPMC’s Strategies to Bridge the Access Gap (05:54)

• UPMC employs a team of 14 Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioners (PHDHPs) strategically placed across Pennsylvania.
  • These professionals connect members with local providers, understand specific community resources, and often assist with transportation.
  • "Our hygienists are very familiar with the providers and the resources within their own community. And that seems to be a great benefit for us..." — Dr. Selko (07:23)
• Bilingual practitioners provide culturally competent care and resource navigation.
• Partnerships with dental schools (e.g., Lake Erie College of Medicine, Temple, University of Pennsylvania) expand referral options.

Emerging Trends and Tools in Expanding Dental Access (09:03)

• Increased focus on education and prevention:
  • Nutrition counseling, smoking cessation resources, and case management.
  • Preventative measures include dental sealants for children, topical treatments (hydroxyapatite, silver diamine fluoride), and regular hygiene education.
  • "We're trying to do is prevent the need for dental services by... applying sealants to children... silver diamine fluoride, which helps stop decay." — Dr. Selko (09:41)
• Community Outreach:
  • Portable dental equipment brought to community events (e.g., churches, libraries, VFW halls).
  • "We do that with certain events and certain providers go out into our communities and have what we call pop up events..." — Dr. Selko (10:55)
• Dental Home Concept: UPMC aims to assign all members to a “dental home” for continuity of care.

Integrating Medicine and Dentistry (11:50)

• Multi-pronged approach involves not just dental professionals but other healthcare providers, including pediatricians.
• Dental issues can indicate systemic health conditions, highlighting the need for integration.
  • "The mouth is the gateway to health. And that's really where we want to focus..." — Dr. Selko (13:06)
• Education on habits (smoking, vaping, chewing tobacco), especially for youth, is critical.

Community Initiatives: Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh (15:17)

• UPMC is a premier sponsor of the annual Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh event:
  • Free two-day dental clinic at David Lawrence Convention Center (Oct 24–25).
  • Includes dental, eye, and hearing care, with services such as cleanings, fillings, extractions, small partials, eyeglasses, and hearing aids.
  • Staffed by around 1,000 volunteers; no insurance required.
  • "But it's a wonderful event...and if you know anybody interested in volunteering, please just have them go to mompgh.org" — Dr. Selko (16:56)
• UPMC also supports similar Remote Area Medical (RAM) events each summer.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On rural access:
  "In the urban areas, you know, access isn't really an issue. But when we get out to the more rural areas... finding dentists...and specialists in particular are even harder to find."
  — Dr. Selko, (03:11)

• On the role of community-specific practitioners:
  "Our hygienists are very familiar with the providers and the resources within their own community. And that seems to be a great benefit for us..."
  — Dr. Selko, (07:23)

• On prevention:
  "We try to avoid having unnecessary stays in hospitals or unnecessary visits to urgent centers for tooth-related issues... My advice to everybody would be: see a dentist, and certainly as often as you can."
  — Dr. Selko, (14:11)

• On the Mission of Mercy event:
  "It's basically a two day free dental clinic. But there's also other healthcare services that are offered... We do everything from cleanings to fillings to extractions... it's a wonderful event."
  — Dr. Selko, (15:19)

• Acknowledgment of dental teams post-pandemic:
  "I appreciate my colleagues and everyone in our space that's doing what they can to get the patients who had to not be able to seek treatment during that pandemic and getting them in and taking care of the diseases that were unable to be addressed during that time."
  — Dr. Selko, (18:13)

Important Timestamps

• 00:31 — Dr. Selko’s professional background and UPMC role
• 03:09 — Urban vs. rural dental access challenges
• 05:54 — UPMC’s clinical team of public health hygienists and regional strategies
• 09:03 — Trends in dental education, prevention, and outreach events
• 11:50 — Multi-pronged approach and medical-dental integration
• 15:17 — Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh: Free dental care event
• 18:06 — Closing reflections, post-pandemic dental care recovery

Final Reflections & Advice for Leaders

Dr. Selko emphasizes gratitude for the dental profession post-pandemic and the collaborative effort required across all provider types to restore and expand access to care. He encourages ongoing commitment to prevention, education, and a compassionate understanding of patient needs:

"I couldn't be more proud to be a dentist at this point in time. And I'm proud to work with a lot of colleagues, not only here at UPMC Health Plan, but throughout the state, Pennsylvania, and across the nation." (19:36)

Summary Takeaway

This episode offers a comprehensive look at the persistent access divide in dental care, especially in rural settings, and UPMC Health Plan’s proactive, integrated strategies for addressing it—from community-based practitioners to wide-reaching preventative programs. Dr. Selko’s leadership and vision position UPMC as a model for improving dental health outcomes and equity.