The effort to make America healthier is getting a lot of attention and is set to influence the healthcare system, including dental care. While we’re not sure yet what changes will happen or when, the American Dental Association (ADA) has shared an editorial about the state of oral health in the U.S. and how these new initiatives could boost the dental profession and improve oral health for everyone. Now, let's dive into the current landscape of the dental field, oral care, and some of the proposed changes to healthcare.
Key Takeaways:
- The ADA is highlighting the potential benefits of new health initiatives for the dental profession and overall oral health.
- Oral health is closely linked to overall health, with untreated oral issues costing the U.S. over $46 billion in productivity.
- The fluoride debate continues, with the ADA advocating for community water fluoridation using the best available data.
- Proposed Medicaid reforms could affect many Americans, with the ADA pushing for dental benefits inclusion.
- Medicare's role in dental care is expanding, with efforts to improve coverage options and ensure fair provider payments.
- A shortage of dentists affects nearly 59 million people, with the ADA supporting recruitment and retention through training and scholarships.
Focus on Preventive Care and Overall Health
Under the Make America Health (MAHA) model, US health policy will shift to focus more on prioritizing preventive health and reducing chronic disease. Included within this scope are childhood health, lifestyle, diet, and nutrition.
This includes focusing on childhood health, lifestyle, diet, and nutrition. We've all know how closely oral health is linked to overall health. For instance, gum disease can increase the risk of diabetes, Alzheimer's, and pregnancy complications. Plus, untreated oral issues are costly, impacting U.S. productivity by over $46 billion.
As a dental professional, you have a vital role to play in guiding your patients towards better preventive care and oral health education.
The Fluoride Debate
Fluoride in our public water supply has long been a hot button issue, and it's getting even more attention now. Amidst these conversations and possible budget cuts, the ADA is committed to using the "best available data and research" to highlight the benefits of community water fluoridation.
Medicaid and Medicare Reforms
There are talks about making changes to Medicaid to help manage federal spending, which might impact many Americans, especially those with lower incomes, as about 79 million people rely on Medicaid. The ADA is dedicated to pushing for dental benefits to be included in Medicaid for both kids and adults.
On the Medicare front, it's exciting to see it becoming a big part of the dental care market, with spending going up by $4 billion in 2023, thanks to Medicare. While Medicare Advantage plans do offer some dental coverage, the ADA is working hard to improve coverage options, make things clearer, give consumers more choices, and ensure fair payments for providers.
Dental Workforce
As the demand for dental care grows, having a strong dental workforce is more important than ever. Right now, there are about 6,888 areas facing a shortage of dentists, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This impacts nearly 59 million people in both rural and underserved urban areas, including places like Florida, New York, Illinois, Texas, Tennessee, and Louisiana. To fill these gaps, we would need an additional 10,093 dentists. The ADA is advocating for boosts to recruitment and retention by offering more training, career development, loan repayment, and scholarship opportunities.
The changing world of healthcare brings both challenges and opportunities for those in the dental field. Together, we can make great progress in enhancing the nation's oral health and, in turn, its overall health.
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