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Dentistry Faces Health Care Reform Questions

August 18, 2009 By 20 Comments

US health care reform, the ADA, and dentistryWith health care reform on the table, what's the status of oral health care? Is dental care anywhere in those thousands of pages?

The quick answer is: it seems likely the plan would include dental care for children up to age 21. Adults would be able to buy dental coverage under the public plan.

And how does your dental association feel about all of this?

ADA president John Findley said that, under the current plan, dentists "would be required to offer dental coverage to children, but that requirement needs much clarification for us to decide whether to support it."

"The whole concept of a public plan remains troubling, and we would oppose any plan that required dentists to participate, directly or indirectly dictated fees for the private market or would lead to a government-run system. And none of the bills enhances Medicaid reimbursement, which translates as no significant access improvements for the poor and other vulnerable populations."

In describing the ADA's stance on health care reform, Dr. Findley said the association advocates for "improving the Medicaid safety net, strengthening the public health infrastructure and funding more community-based prevention efforts."

This stance sounds like it was written by a politician. However, the following statement appears unequivocal…

"The ADA does not support a single-payer system because we believe it would stifle access and innovation and reduce the quality of patient care," he continued.

The ADA has been lobbying all year to make sure dentists are not overlooked. "The ADA is adamant that improving access to dental care for those most in need be the focus of any oral health component in a health care reform proposal," one of their letters read.

Take a look at the ADA's health care reform e-gram

Filed Under: Dental Editorials
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  • http://www.SmilePage.com Dr. David Page

    If a government public give-away plan dictates dentist participation in ANY WAY….then the best dental care and profession in the world is doomed to mediocrity. Elective Priorities dictate societal screams for government largess where politicians “aim to please the people”. People willingly pay for $300 Mobile Phones, games, gadgets and video systems; People willingly pay for $200 tennis shoes and concert tickets; People willingly pay for $1,000 to 5,000 vacations; BUT many people want and think they deserve FREE or $10 dentalcare and healthcare….AND…they may too-soon get it. It was Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski that said a decade ago, “We must take from them that have, and give to them that don’t”. Her wish is coming true.

  • Frank Catalanotto

    Government public give-away plan- socialism- name calling; this all sounds so familiar. For all of us who went to free public k-12 schools, or state universities and dental schools- isn’t that the same as universal coverage for health care, including dental care. And “the best dental care and profession in the world”. For who? Best for dentists- but not for the millions of people who cannot access quality dental care in the US. Certainly not for the 196 Medicaid enrolled children in Florida who had to be admitted to a hospital for a life threatening dental infection in 2006. Yes, there are people who make bad economic choices such as $200 tennis shoes but there are more people, making good incomes who just cannot afford the “best dental care in the world” but would just like some simple prevention, getting out of pain, and such. We remain the only modern country in the world without universal access, with the highest per capita health care costs, and with health outcome measures that rank in the 40s.

  • Steve

    I agree Frank. While it may not be the popular view, I am willing to pay more for those who don’t have the means that I do. Yes, I worked my tail off to get where I am at, but I also had a great support system to get here. We are only as good as our poorest/sickest citizens are. I love doing cosmetic dentistry and creating beautiful smiles, but I’m also willing to volunteer my services and time for those in need.

  • http://www.gostner.it Manuela Rambe

    This form of thinking would be interesting.

  • http://www.thevisibledentist.com/ The Visible Dentist

    Here’s a snippet of article I found interesting…

    “There ain’t any healthcare debate going on, Bubba. What is going on are mob negotiations about insurance, and which mob gets the biggest chunk of the dough, be it our taxpayer dough or the geet that isn’t in ole Jim’s impoverished purse. The hoo-ha is about the insurance racket, not the delivery of healthcare to human beings. It’s simply another form of extorting the people regarding a fundamental need — health.”

    Rest of article: http://bit.ly/Koac4

    John Barremore
    Houston, TX

  • http://drjana.in/orthodonticsanddentistinchennai.php Dentist in chennai

    It seems to be very interesting…

    john korner

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  • dentist

    The first post by dr. david page says it all. This is the truth. I have seen mothers come into my office that have family incomes of over 200k/yr and neglect to have their childs tooth fixed. They show up a year later when the child is in severe pain. Each of these people typically drive a very nice car, have a newer home, a good job etc. They Buy what they want and Put off what they Need. Healthcare is not a right. I do charitable work as well as most dentist out there do. Many churches and organizations run free medical and dental clinics. You don’t need the gov. telling you what you need to do regarding your healthcare.

  • http://juridicum.net/joeljha/ Sammy Daniel

    I read your blog once in a while and I must mention that I like your template!

  • http://juridicum.net/darlenefry/ Mialara Spektinsky

    G’luck with the new blog mate

  • http://juridicum.net/jeribernard/ Glen Daraymond

    It’s great to see people freely expressing their opinion.Thanks for your insights.

  • http://juridicum.net/jeribernard/ Natalia Stein

    Interesting article. Were did you got all the information from…?

  • http://echealthinsurance.com/Georgia/ atlanta health insurance

    Great job America, now health insurance is guaranteed to stay unobtainable to the people that need it the most.

  • http://www.dentistcosmetic.com David S. Peterson DDS, FAGD

    President Obama makes it sound good. I do not agree with him. He is either naive about the insurance industry, blind or bought. Really it does not matter his relationship to those authors of terror. It is wrong to socialize health care. This “reform” is bad for the American people and will lead to bankrupting the country. The best thing anyone can do is live a healthy life and try to stay away from the “health care” system in the U.S.

  • carry escman

    i think its good that dental coverage is included becuase children who need braces will get them for lower price. maybe $700 and parents can afford it.

  • http://www.thevisibledentist.com/ The Visible Dentist

    Allow me to quote Dr. David Peterson of Basin, WY (above) who says it quite well indeed:

    “President Obama makes it sound good. I do not agree with him. He is either naive about the insurance industry, blind or bought. Really it does not matter his relationship to those authors of terror. It is wrong to socialize health care. This “reform” is bad for the American people and will lead to bankrupting the country. The best thing anyone can do is live a healthy life and try to stay away from the “health care” system in the U.S.”

    If I lived in Wyoming and needed to see a dentist, I’d make it a point to schedule with Dr. Peterson’s office, simply because his words show he has a good grasp on reality and a desire to help his fellow man.

    John Barremore
    Houston, TX

  • Lanette

    I’m not sure that I quite understand fully the position of this article. I came across it as I was searching for help with my own dental care. After 22 years of marriage and 3 children, my former husband decided that he wanted a different life. My husband was active duty military and our children have learning disabilities. I stayed at home. Since the divorce, I am ineligible for the dental benefit and when I looked into other insurance policies, coverage required year long waiting periods. I currently am employed but receive no health benefits. I require 3 root canals and several teeth will need to be re-filled (prior dental work with inferior materials allowed for decay under fillings that were less that 2 yrs old). I am in constant pain but am unable to afford treatment. If there are any answers or help in San Diego county, it would be greatly appreciated.

  • Elm11

    for $700 you may get a hammer and pair of pliers.

  • Elm11

    If competition is eliminated the quality of care will suffer.

  • Elm11

    dental care is a need not a want that is why people should get it for free! I need my 60 foot Yacht in the bvi whats the issue the government should accommodate my needs.

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