Improving Oral Health Coverage for PA’s Most
Vulnerable Populations
Founded in the belief that oral health is essential to overall
health and wellness, every Pennsylvanian should have
equal access to care. The unfortunate reality is that our
most vulnerable populations struggle to get the care
they need. These vulnerable populations include children,
elderly, special needs and those living in poverty. A large
portion of these individuals qualify for state funded
medical assistance coverage.
In 2011, comprehensive dental benefits for the adult
medical assistance population were drastically cut. As a
result, treatment options afforded those with commercial
dental insurance or the ability to pay are out of reach to
hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians. These vulnerable
individuals can only receive basic restorations, preventive
services, severely limited prosthetics, and extractions.
Crowns and root canals are not covered services. With
out-of-pocket costs outside of the financial means of these
Pennsylvanians, we’ve created an environment with two
standards of care – one for the “haves” and another for the
“have nots.”
Despite efforts to promote Medicaid participation, many
dentists across the state remain outside of the program
leaving patients with very few options for care, and access
can be an issue depending on where they live. While
state-specific research has not been completed, one
would surmise that many vulnerable individuals are not
establishing dental homes and ultimately land in hospital
emergency departments with extensive, irreversible
oral disease. This situation does not make good use of
Pennsylvania tax dollars. PCOH and grassroots advocacy
partners are starting conversations with legislators and
state policy/budget staff in Harrisburg to stress the
importance of restoring comprehensive adult dental
benefits under the medical assistance program. PCOH also
supports the PDA’s Take 5 program, which asks dentists in
our state to consider accepting at least five families who
participate with Medicaid insurances. If even half of the
dentists in our state would treat just five of these families,
our state’s vulnerable individuals would have adequate
access to the oral health care they need to live happy and
healthy lives.
WHAT CAN PDA MEMBERS DO?
PCOH is a 501(c)3 non-profit poised to serve as the dynamic
voice for improved oral health for all Pennsylvanians.
Consider being a part of the conversation with us! Follow
us on social media, check out our website, or attend an
upcoming meeting in your area to learn more. To join our
email list, please contact info@paoralhealth.org.
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