Op-Ed: Dental Care Must Be Included As An Essential Benefit For Adults

In an opinion piece in the Washington Post, Dr. Donald L. Chi, a pediatric dentist and associate professor at the University of Washington School of Dentistry, states that in order to help ensure “everyone has a chance at good oral health,” dental care must be “recognized as an essential benefit.” Dr. Chi states that this would involve “including comprehensive dental coverage in Medicaid and the ACA as well as in Medicare (where it is excluded).” Doing so would help undeserved adults receive needed dental care, and although this would require funding, it would “also be an investment” since “fewer emergency room visits would result in cost savings,” writes Dr. Chi. In addition, Dr. Chi says adults with good oral health would experience “less suffering” and would be more apt to find employment “without the fear of appearance-related discrimination.”

Delta Dental Survey: Dentists Top List Of Health Practitioners Americans Want To See More Of

In a release on PRNewswire (1/4), the Delta Dental Plans Association states that “dentists lead the pack of health practitioners adults want to see more,” according to its 2016 Adult Oral Health Survey. The survey finds that “41 percent of American adults reported they do not get to the dentist as often as they’d like,” followed by dermatologists at 28 percent. According to the survey, adults who brush their teeth less than twice a day report wanting to see the dentist more than those who brush their teeth more often. “Seeing the dentist regularly is an important part of maintaining good oral health,” said Bill Kohn, DDS, Delta Dental Plans Association’s vice president of dental science and policy. “We’re at least glad to see that even those who aren’t getting to the dentist as often as they’d like, recognize the importance of making more time to do so.”

        WAND-TV Champaign, IL (1/4) reports that in Illinois, the survey finds 43 percent of adults report they do not visit the dentist as often as they’d like.

Study Suggests Few Older Americans Have Dental Insurance

InsuranceNewsNet reported Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health research on Medicare beneficiaries, published in the December issue of the journal Health Affairs, suggests that “only 12 percent of older Americans have some form of dental insurance and fewer than half visited a dentist in the previous year.” Such “an enormous unmet need for dental insurance among those 65 and older in the United States” means older adults are “at risk for oral health problems that could be prevented or treated with timely dental care, including tooth decay, gum disease and loss of teeth.” The research also highlights “the financial burden associated with dental visits, among both the insured and uninsured.” Study author Amber Willink, PhD, an assistant scientist in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Bloomberg School, said, “With fewer and fewer retiree health plans covering dental benefits, we are ushering in a population of people with less coverage and who are less likely to routinely see a dentist. We need to think about cost-effective solutions to this problem.”

MouthHealthy.org provides a guide to finding and paying for dental care, listing factors to consider when determining if purchasing a dental benefit plan will save money on dental care costs.

Oral Cancer On The Rise In The United States

The Dental Tribune (11/28) reports in continuing coverage that FAIR Health, a nonprofit healthcare transparency organization, analyzed data on privately billed medical and dental coverage claim lines related to oral cancer diagnoses, finding the overall number of claims in the United States rose by 61 percent between 2011 to 2015. According to the article, “The greatest increase was in malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx, hypopharynx and oropharynx,” followed by “malignant neoplasm of the tongue.”

        MouthHealthy.org and the Oral Health Topics on ADA.org provide information on oral and oropharyngeal cancer for patients and for dental professionals.

Medicare Advantage Plans Often Include Dental Coverage

MarketWatch encouraged people to understand the differences between Medicare and Medicare Advantage, noting that “unlike traditional Medicare, some Medicare Advantage plans also offer extended benefits, such as vision and dental care.”

        MouthHealthy.org provides information on paying for dental care after retirement.

The Motley Fool: Consider A Medicare Advantage Plan

The Motley Fool encourages people to consider Medicare Advantage plans since they may offer “greater coverage at a lower price than original Medicare.” The article noted that “a Medicare Advantage plan must offer at least as much coverage as original Medicare (i.e., Part A and Part B),” and “it will often provide more than that,” such as dental care.

        In a second piece, the Motley Fool stated that “many people sign up for Medicare without realizing the limitations of the program: what you do get and what you don’t.” For example, original Medicare does not cover “dentures or most dental care,” the article stated.

Consider A Medicare Advantage Plan

The Motley Fool encourages older Americans to maximize the Medicare benefits that are available to them to help offset the rising healthcare costs many experience during retirement. Among the tips provided to help get the most out of Medicare, the article encourages retirees to look into Medicare Advantage. At a minimum, Medicare Advantage plans “match the coverage of Medicare Parts A and B,” and many offer additional benefits, such as dental care coverage. The article also recommends retirees sign up for Medicare on time, review prescription medication needs, and receive any free preventive care services offered through Medicare.

Consumers Encouraged To Consider Several Items When Selecting Dental Coverage

On its website and in a broadcast, WATE-TV Knoxville, TN discussed dental coverage, recommending consumers consider several factors when selecting a plan, such as the annual price of premiums, the policy limit and coverage, and the care needed. In addition, the article emphasized the importance of preventive dental care to help reduce costs.

        MouthHealthy.org provides resources for patients on finding and paying for dental care.

Tips For Choosing New Health Benefits Includes Recommendation To Consider Dental Plans

Virginia Business Magazine features a list of five tips for people taking advantage of open enrollment season to find a new healthcare plan, so that they can “make more informed choices that may improve [their] health and even save money.” The first four tips include: “take time to review your options;” “look for incentive-based wellness programs;” “take advantage of health care apps and online tools;” and “open a health savings account.” The fifth piece of advice is to pay attention to other sorts of benefit plans, notably dental, vision, accident and critical illness insurance plans. The magazine states, “Research shows a connection between oral health and overall health, so adding a dental plan may help prevent larger medical problems.”

Senate Passes Bill That Allows Veterans To Purchase Low Premium Dental Coverage

The ADA News reports in continuing coverage that on July 13 the Senate passed the VA Dental Insurance Reauthorization Act, which would allow “veterans to purchase low premium dental coverage from private insurers.” ADA president Carol Gomez Summerhays, a third-generation Navy veteran, said, “We’re supportive of all efforts to extend dental coverage to veterans, and reauthorizing this program certainly would do that.” Sen. Richard Burr, (R-NC), who sponsored the bill, said in a news release, “Making sure veterans have dental care is the right thing to do.”

People Encouraged To Plan Ahead For Healthcare Expenses In Retirement

US News & World Report (7/20, Reiss) states that “mitigating potential health care expenses” before retirement can “make all the difference.” In a list of six tips for future retirees “to protect their retirement nest eggs from sky-high medical bills,” the article recommends people “start by understanding the system.” For example, individuals can select Medicare Advantage, “which allows companies regulated by Medicare to cover dental care, eye exams and other medical services.”

The Jackson (TN) Sun (7/19, Thomas) added that “one of the biggest questions” for retirees is “whether to sign up for the original Medicare plan or an Advantage Plan.” According to the article, Medicare Advantage “bundles services and costs and might offer some extra benefits like vision and dental coverage but include some restrictions.”

MouthHealthy.org provides additional information on paying for dental care after retirement.

Washington Post Columnist Questions Benefit of Dental Benefit Plan

A Washington Post columnist wrote about his experience trying to select a dental benefit plan. After doing the math, he determined there didn’t seem to be much benefit to cost of the premium and deductible compared to simply paying for dental care out of pocket. The ADA has resources for consumers on finding and paying for dental care at MouthHealthy.org and also provides numerous resources for ADA members on third party payer issues at ADA.org/DentalPlans.