Meg Booth, Deputy Executive Director, Children’s Health Dental Project
In the past months of health reform debate, we at Children’s Dental Health Project have continuously heard the surprise and elation that all of the House and Senate Committees debating this issue included a dental benefit for children as part of their proposals. The disappointment later comes when those same individuals learn that pregnant women and adults are not included. However, we try to count our victories where we can and given that childhood tooth decay is nearly preventable, if identified early, the inclusion of a required dental benefit could have a tremendous impact on the health of children across the country. Of course to recognize any success and to eliminate tooth decay as the #1 chronic condition in childhood, there will need to be a shift in our thinking about children’s health that starts with looking at ways to prevent tooth decay and control the disease in children that already have it.
The inclusion of oral health in the health reform debate is not limited to dental benefits, but given the numerous proposals, the House also takes the vital step of including an expert in oral health to serve on the Health Benefits Advisory Committee. The historic accident of the creation of a separate dental system that parallels the medical system will bring challenges when details are being ironed out by any advisory group; therefore the House recognized the need to include someone with expertise in oral health to serve on the panel to ensure the that benefit and other dental provisions are feasible and in the best interest of consumers.
Let us not forget to mention, that the Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) passed earlier this year guaranteed eligible children access to dental benefits, which is critical to working families. Maintaining a minimum standard of dental benefits as outlined in Medicaid, and now CHIP, is critical given this population is at greatest risk for severe early and ongoing tooth decay. Ensuring children have coverage through Medicaid, CHIP or an equivalent benefit package through the Exchange is essential to the oral health of families. To access more information about oral health in health reform, please see CDHP’s side-by-side chart of the dental provisions in each proposal or sign up to receive our weekly update at www.cdhp.org or email cdhpinfo@cdhp.org.
The views expressed by Guest Bloggers do not necessarily reflect the views of the Center for Children and Familes.
