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
16 hours ago
Unlike sodas and sports drinks, water hydrates without added sugar. Fluoridated water goes a step further by helping prevent cavities and protect smiles. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
Preventive oral health care and community water fluoridation do more than prevent cavities. They support basic needs like health and comfort, psychological needs like confidence and belonging, and the ability to learn, work, and reach one’s full potential. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
3 days ago
Access to preventive and restorative dental care is essential for everyone. Good oral health plays a vital role in a person’s quality of life. It affects our ability to eat, speak, smile, learn, work, and live without pain. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
4 days ago
The best health policy helps prevent disease before it starts. Community water fluoridation does exactly that by helping protect teeth against cavity-causing germs and reducing the need for more costly treatment later. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
6 days ago
Discrimination, income, education, and where a person lives, works, and plays can have as much impact on health outcomes as behavior and health care access. When we address these social determinants, we move closer toward achieving health equity. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 weeks ago
Maintaining the Apple Health dental program and DentistLink are smart investments that help people stay healthy, working, and connected to the care they need. It’s good health policy, good public policy, and the right thing to do. #waleg #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 weeks ago
When public and private partners align, oral health care access becomes attainable. DentistLink - a public–private partnership between Washington state (@wa_health_care), Arcora Foundation, and @projectaccessnorthwest - helps connect Apple Health–insured and uninsured Washington residents find ...dental care near them. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 weeks ago
Oral health is essential to overall health. Maintaining investments in the Apple Health dental program and DentistLink - proven tools that help people access care, stay healthy, and remain productive. It’s smart health policy and the right thing to do. #waleg #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 weeks ago
Oral health care access can change a life. DentistLink helps Apple Health–insured and uninsured Washington residents find a dentist near them so care is timely and within reach. #OralHealth #AppleHealth #WALeg #teethmatter