A recent Huffington Post story draws attention to the effects of a failure to provide dental care for low-income residents. Due to budget challenges many states, including Washington, have cut dental care coverage for Medicaid recipients.
The story highlights Washington as an example of a state that no longer provides dental coverage to those in need. As a result, more than 450,000 adults in our state do not have access to dental care. Many of these low-income residents seek pain relief in emergency rooms, which costs taxpayers more.
Experts stress that proper dental care is a core part of overall good health and warn that not providing dental care will cost more in the long run.
A women with a disability in Seattle observes: “We’re the richest country on earth, but we have people going hungry and without proper medical and dental care.”