Oral Health & Healthcare Reform

The debate surrounding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has highlighted a significant issue: the American healthcare system has been inadequate for years. Many people agree that it has left millions of Americans underinsured, without coverage, or outright denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions. When it comes to oral health, finding adequate and affordable dental coverage is just as challenging, if not more so, than securing healthcare coverage.

As part of the healthcare reform discussions, dental professionals have emphasized the importance of oral healthcare and the need for improved coverage. Gradually, policymakers are starting to recognize that dental coverage is as crucial as general medical care. As a result, it is estimated that by 2018, approximately 8.7 million children will gain some form of dental benefits thanks to the ACA.

This change is expected to reduce the number of children without dental benefits by about 55 percent compared to 2010, according to a report from the American Dental Association. Of those benefiting, about a third will be covered through their parents’ employer-sponsored insurance, another third will be insured through Medicaid, and the remaining will obtain coverage through new policies available in the health insurance exchanges (Washington Post).

Further reading:  

Obamacare and Kids Dental, Vision Coverage (Washington Post)

Affordable Care Act and Oral Health: ADA Aanalysis of Impact (ADA)