Summary: The American Institute of Dental Public Health (AIDPH) submitted testimony for a Senate hearing addressing the U.S. dental care crisis. They proposed expanding Medicaid and Medicare, increasing the oral health workforce, and integrating value-based dental care.

Key Takeaways:

  • Policy Proposals: AIDPH suggests expanding dental benefits under Medicaid and Medicare, increasing the oral health workforce, and integrating value-based care.
  • Legislative Support: Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the Comprehensive Dental Care Reform Act of 2024 to expand dental coverage and access.

The American Institute of Dental Public Health (AIDPH), a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing oral health justice and equity, submitted written testimony for a senate hearing on the US healthcare crisis driven by the accessibility and affordability of dental care.

Addressing Disparities in Dental Care

AIDPH’s testimony highlighted data-driven policy solutions to address access to dental care for underserved populations — especially its core focus groups of veterans, rural communities, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQIA+ community — to ensure more people have access to affordable oral health services.

“The dental care crisis in America is not just a failure of health; it is a failure of justice,” said Annaliese Cothron, AIDPH executive director. “Our testimony has outlined the dire state of oral health in our nation and its disproportionate impact on our most vulnerable populations. These disparities are not just alarming; they are a clear indication of our current system failures and a call to action for policy solutions.”

Financial Burdens and Workforce Shortages

While out-of-pocket costs for dental care have slowly decreased over time, consumers are still paying 41 cents of every dollar spent on dental care throughout the US, according to AIDPH, the highest among all healthcare costs. Additionally, over 79 million Americans live in a dental health professional shortage area without adequate workforce to meet dental needs.

Proposed Policy Solutions

AIDPH proposed the following policy solutions:

  • Expand Medicaid and Medicare to require comprehensive dental benefits, evaluating expansion under Medicare Parts B and D.
  • Increase the oral health workforce through funding, incentives, and loan repayment programs.
  • Finance an integrated, value-based dental care delivery system and increase funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers.
  • Expand VA Dental Eligibility to include high-cost, high-risk veterans with chronic diseases, saving taxpayer dollars.

Legislative Developments

Following the hearing, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt) introduced the Comprehensive Dental Care Reform Act of 2024. According to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), the proposed legislation, introduced by Chairman Sanders, would make sweeping changes to expand dental coverage for seniors, veterans, and low-income populations. This includes increasing the number of dental professionals in rural and underserved areas; making dental services more accessible in community health centers, schools, nursing homes, and mobile units; making dental care an essential benefit under the Affordable Care Act; and increasing reimbursement rates for dental procedures under Medicaid.

AIDPH strongly supports the Comprehensive Dental Care Reform Act of 2024 and thanked Sen Sanders for his continued oral health advocacy.