State legislators are considering an investment in improving oral health care access for low-income pregnant women and diabetes patients to improve their overall health and provide substantial savings through lower health care costs.
Countless studies underscore the connection between oral health and overall health. Now researchers are confirming what many have suspected all along: that in addition to improved health, good oral health also helps reduce overall medical costs. A study by United Concordia found that pregnant women and diabetes patients saw improved outcomes and lower health care costs when their gum disease was treated.
“If you have a chronic condition such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and/or are pregnant, it’s more important than ever to keep up with consistent oral care at home and see your dentist,” the United Concordia study stated. Oral disease has been linked to complications related to pregnancy and diabetes management.
Lower income adults frequently have difficulty finding a dentist who accepts Apple Health (Medicaid). Lawmakers are looking into enhancing Medicaid reimbursement rates to entice more dentists to treat lower income pregnant women and people with diabetes.
The expectation is that the enhanced rates would provide for more preventive oral health treatment for pregnant women and diabetic patients before more serious complications develop, and would also result in an estimated $28 million in medical cost savings over the biennium.
Oral Health Watch supports enhanced rates for pregnant women and people with diabetes because it is a smart, money-saving solution that will help lead to tangible improvements in oral and overall health.
Oral Health Watch
6 hours ago
Providing oral health care access for lower-income workers can make a profound difference in health and quality of life. Bad breath, tooth loss, and visible decay can significantly impact employment opportunities for working adults with:
✅decreased confidence
✅increased absenteeism
... ✅lower productivity
✅potential negative perceptions by employers, colleagues and customers. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
9 hours ago
Providing oral health care access for lower-income workers can make a profound difference in health and quality of life. Bad breath, tooth loss, and visible decay can significantly impact employment opportunities for working adults with:
✅decreased confidence
✅increased absenteeism
... ✅lower productivity
✅potential negative perceptions by employers, colleagues and customers. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 days ago
Access to preventive and restorative oral health care is highly effective and saves money, sparing people from needless pain and expensive hospital emergency department visits that don't have the equipment or trained staff to address the root causes of oral disease. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
Access to preventive and restorative oral health care is highly effective and saves money, sparing people from needless pain and expensive hospital emergency department visits that don't have the equipment or trained staff to address the root causes of oral disease. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
An overwhelming majority of public health organizations, including the Cleveland Clinic, support community water fluoridation as a cost-effective, equitable and beneficial way to improve oral health. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
An overwhelming majority of public health organizations, including the @clevelandclinic, support community water fluoridation as a cost-effective, equitable and beneficial way to improve oral health. #teethmatter