2019 Legislative Wins Set Stage for Expanded Access to Oral Health Care

The Pew Charitable Trusts named oral health care a national trend to watch in 2020 as holistic approaches are increasingly recognized as a mainstream priority for community health. Per the Pew Charitable Trusts, significant strides in oral health policymaking in 2019 have helped set the stage for improved access to care for many Americans in 2020 and beyond, especially for those with limited incomes or who live in areas underserved by dental professionals. At the same time, the strong trend toward more practice consolidation in the dental care industry is likely to continue.

Last year, three states expanded Medicaid coverage for dental benefits to adults, while four others authorized the midlevel providers known as dental therapists to practice within their borders. And there is the potential for progress this fall when the U.S. surgeon general is expected to release a major report on oral health that outlines the federal government’s vision for improving outcomes and care delivery.

Source: The Pew Charitable Trusts

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