In times of public health emergencies, communication is a critical part of keeping Georgians safe and healthy. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is hoping to optimize its ability to respond to emergencies by encouraging Georgia's dentists to sign up for the department's email alert system.

The system allows DPH to communicate vital health information quickly and efficiently with the state's health care providers during emergencies or disasters.

In a letter, DPH Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., urged dental professionals to enroll in the opt-in communication system by visiting http://www.dph.ga.gov/connect/.

"Information sharing is clearly critical as we work together to strengthen response plans for natural and man-made disasters. In addition, disease often spreads quickly and the ability to reach our medical community in real time is more important than ever," she said. "Upon registering, you will receive only the most important health information as it relates to you, your patients and your family."

In 2011, the department began using the email system to communicate matters of significant public health importance to more than 32,000 licensed physicians and physician's assistants. The system proved to be an invaluable tool for rapid communication of urgent health matters such as disease spread and mitigation, including the recent fungal meningitis outbreak. Communication from Georgia's email alert system has already been recognized as a national model.

Providers who register for the system shouldn't fear receiving dozens of emails from DPH. Fitzgerald emphasized email will only be sent during or involving matters of urgent public health importance. The system was used just three times during the last year.