With the release of Oral Health America’s white paper, An Oral Health Benefit in Medicare Part B: It’s Time to Include Oral Health in Health Care, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association releases the following statement:
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association proudly supports Oral Heath America (OHA) and its partners’ position on making oral healthcare a benefit of Medicare Part B. The white paper states that Medicare provides healthcare to 59 million seniors and people with disabilities but does not cover things such as routine dental cleanings, checkups, restorative procedures or x-rays – all of which are vital in maintaining good oral health.
Given the clear connection between oral health and overall health, it is important to have oral care as a benefit of Medicare. In its white paper, OHA outlines various reasons to add this benefit, such as cost, medical necessity and the need for legislative changes.
ADHA proudly supports OHA and its partners’ push to add oral healthcare as a benefit of Medicare and looks forward to assisting in the efforts of this movement.
About the American Dental Hygienists’ Association:
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is the largest national organization representing the professional interests of more than 185,000 dental hygienists across the country. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. For more information about ADHA, dental hygiene or the link between oral health and general health, visit ADHA at www.adha.org.
