DENTAL Care “Deserts”

By Staff Reporters

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Dental care in America divides people into two camps: those who can afford regular preventive care and cleanings, and those who can’t.

These so-called dental deserts contribute to a deep disparity in overall health. People who live in these places are more likely to get tooth decay and develop severe health problems. They also spend more money on care, and more time seeking health assistance in an emergency.

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Stat: 25 million. That’s how many US residents live in areas without enough dentists, according to a recent Harvard University study.

A growing movement against fluoride is adding to the risk of tooth decay in these “dental deserts.” (NPR)

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DENTAL CARE: Unattainable for Many Patients

“Crisis”

By Staff Reporters

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A lack of insurance and high out-of-pocket costs make dental care unattainable for 69 million people in the US. (USA Today)

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MEDICARE PART B: Dental Care

By Staff Reporters

Medicare enrollees could save $500+ per year in out-of-pocket spending if federal lawmakers expand parts of the program to include dental services, according to a report released last week.

The Urban Institute analysis—aided by funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation—examined the implications of expanding Medicare Part B, which covers medically necessary and preventive services, to include dental care. The proposed coverage would be subject to Part B deductibles and 20% cost-sharing, and it could lower out-of-pocket expenses by 80%, or $530 per person annually, the report found.

Katherine Hempstead, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation senior policy advisor, said the proposed expansion is “an opportunity to increase equity and close long-standing gaps in access to dental services.” Low-income older adults currently “bear the brunt” of Medicare’s lack of dental coverage, she added.

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SDOH = Social Determinants of Oral Health

By Staff Reporters

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Social determinants of oral health and tooth loss

A study led by investigators at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine suggested that “machine-learning algorithm models incorporating socioeconomic characteristics were better at predicting tooth loss than those relying on routine clinical dental indicators alone.”

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

Furthermore, new research reported that

  • adults living in urban areas visited the dentist more than those in rural areas
  • women were more likely than men to visit the dentist in both rural and urban areas
  • the number of adult dental visits increased as family income increased
  • non-Hispanic white adults were more likely than Hispanic and non-Hispanic black adults to have a dental visit in urban areas.

Therefore, it is important to consider how disparities in access to and use of dental care impact not only tooth loss but also oral and overall health.

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Happy World Oral Health Day

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Happy World Oral Health Day

[By Staff Reporters]

Today is March 20th – World Oral Health Day (WOHD), a day in which dentists and organizations worldwide are promoting oral health.

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According to the FDI WOHD website, 90% of the world’s population will suffer from oral diseases in their lifetime, and many of them can be avoided with increased governmental, health association and society support and funding for prevention, detection and treatment programs.

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