Awareness is growing across Washington of the plight of uninsured dental patients and the need for the Legislature to restore dental benefits for Medicaid-eligible adults in the legislative session that started this week.
The decision by state lawmakers in 2011 to eliminate dental coverage for most low-income adults left 450,000 people without dental insurance. Many of those uninsured patients seek care in already overburdened emergency rooms, creating costs that are passed on to taxpayers and other healthcare consumers.
Doctors and nurses around the state say they see patients come into emergency rooms every day with serious dental pain. But hospitals are not designed to treat dental problems. These medical professionals can only treat the pain, not fix the patients’ underlying oral health problems.
Untreated dental disease is a serious health concern because oral health affects overall health, especially for people with diabetes. In addition, it is hard to find a job and become self-sufficient if you’re missing teeth or are in constant dental pain. Dental disease is preventable, but people need access to dental care.
In recent weeks, state newspapers and other news sites across the state have written about the growing problem of uninsured dental patients, overcrowded emergency rooms and the need for state to restore Medicaid dental coverage.
Jerry Large column, Seattle Times, Dec. 12
“Legislature: Put future benefits ahead of temporary savings”
Dr. Bicuspid, Dec. 17
“Delta Dental foundation decries Wash. Medicaid cuts”
Op-ed from Dr. Marcia Wheaton, Everett Herald, Dec. 22
“Dental care is unmet need for too many”
Skagit Valley Herald, Dec. 23
Yakima Herald-Republic, Jan. 2
“Declining state dental benefits create issues of access, cost”
The Spokane Spokesman-Review, Jan. 3
“Dental clinic offers affordable relief for Medicaid users, uninsured”
Dr. Bicuspid, Jan. 7
“Seattle clinic provides dental care to uninsured”
Oral Health Watch
17 hours ago
It can be challenging accessing preventive and restorative dental care even if you have Apple Health coverage - Washington state's Medicaid program. Fortunately, there's DentistLink, a free referral service that also offers translation, transportation, childcare and other services to help... Washington residents get the oral healthcare they need. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
20 hours ago
It can be challenging accessing preventive and restorative dental care even if you have Apple Health coverage - Washington state's Medicaid program. Fortunately, there's DentistLink, a free referral service that also offers translation, transportation, childcare and other services to help... Washington residents get the oral healthcare they need. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
20 hours ago
It can be challenging accessing preventive and restorative dental care even if you have Apple Health coverage - Washington state's Medicaid program. Fortunately, there's DentistLink, a free referral service that also offers translation, transportation, childcare and other services to help... Washington residents get the oral healthcare they need. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
Reasons to choose water over sweetened drinks:
💧Refreshing and keeps you hydrated
💧No added sugar
💧Reduced risk of cavities
💧Fluoridated drinking water protects and strengthen teeth, reducing cavities by 25%
#teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
Reasons to choose water over sweetened drinks:
💧Refreshing and keeps you hydrated
💧No added sugar
💧Reduced risk of cavities
💧Fluoridated drinking water protects and strengthen teeth, reducing cavities by 25%
#teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
3 days ago
Access to preventive and restorative dental care is a matter of equity, helping people meet their fundamental physiological, safety, and psychological needs while contributing to one's overall well-being and quality of life. #teethmatter