The Benefits Of Public Health

Oral health has a direct impact on the general health, hence, it is important that all Canadians have adequate access to dental care services. Over the years successive Governments have reduced financial support to programs delivering dental care to most vulnerable populations. As a result, many low income families and other vulnerable groups have been unable to access dental care. There is further escalation in the disparities in oral health care among Canadians, as the number of Canadians losing dental care benefits continues to increase. Also, higher oral health care costs can be expected in the near future due to shortage of health care professionals.

While most of the patients I interacted with were seeking non-dental care, I met patients who were seeking care to health conditions that stem from their oral health such as oral abscesses, which our team was unable to treat except for prescribing antibiotics or painkillers. I encountered similar situations when I shadowed physicians in the emergency room of hospitals, observing a variety of craniofacial disorders originating from a preventable tooth decay. From these observations, I learned that patients often did not receive treatment that addressed the root of their problems: their oral health. As the result, I learned that many physicians saw the same patient repeatedly for problems that would otherwise be easily prevented through proper preventive dental care. Determining to address the unmet needs for accessible preventive dental care, I decided to pursue a career in dentistry so that I can provide a positive and meaningful impact to the underserved community on their oral health and ultimately their overall

At which time States must offer health insurance to parents and childless adults who have an income up to 100% of the federal poverty line. As of January 1, 2019, States must offer health insurance to parents and childless adults who have an income that does not exceed 133% of the federal poverty line. The amount being paid by the Federal Government is 100% in 2014, which will be diminished over time by 5% and then 10%, with the States being required to pay the difference. If a State chooses not to follow the Expansion plan, it will lose all of its Medicaid funding.

However, in states that have not expanded Medicaid, eligibility for adults remains limited, with median eligibility level for parents just 44% of poverty and adults without dependent children ineligible in most cases. Over 3 million poor uninsured adults are in the “coverage gap” because they earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to qualify for Marketplace premium tax credits

As previously illustrated, there are both advantages and disadvantages of Medicaid. However, being a beneficiary of Medicaid increases access to health care. As a result of the program, adults were 70% more likely to have a regular place of care, “55% more likely to have a regular doctor than the adults who did not gain coverage;” and the utilization of preventative services have increased (Garfield & Paradise, 2013). Furthermore, access to speciality care such as physical therapy; podiatry and hospice remain unattainable. In a multiple city audit, researchers found that only 34% of Medicaid beneficiaries were able to “secure an appointment for urgent” specialist care, compared to 64% of those privately

Hundreds of years ago, the dental profession and the medical profession was perceived as two separate entities, however, this bifurcated health system has created an epidemic in oral disease with our aging population (Nagro, 2016). Dentistry should be more closely integrated with medicine and the health care system, however, organized dentistry has fought to stay a monopoly. They have protested regarding dental personnel being independent, even in the advancement of serving more rural areas, just as they repelled being part of Medicare. Finally, there are a few states that have alternative choices for a dental hygienist to travel to people who can’t get to a traditional dental office. Some of these states include Minnesota, Colorado, Oregon,

As per the law United States legal citizen whose income is 133 percent lesser than the poverty line can be enrolled for Medicaid. Operated by state government but Medicaid is funded jointly by state and federal governments. Funding to Medicaid is by federal government called as Federal Medical Assistance Percentage is calculated based on state per capita income and typically varies between 50 to 75 %. But the Obama care act provides Medicaid expansion through which federal government will pay 100 % of Medicaid costs during 2014, 2015, 2016 but 95 % of costs during 2017, 94% during 2018, 93% during 2019 and 90 %during 2020. Not essentially all states accept this Medicaid expansion program, typically states ruled by democrats implement this expansion but states ruled by republicans deny the expansion. As per study health reform monitory survey4, those states who accepted Medicaid expansion has uninsured rate of only 7.3% but in not accepted states have uninsured rates of 14.1% which constitutes half of nations uninsured population.

Many low income areas have dental therapists as part of their local dental team. Many people in these areas have never been to a dentist or do not go every six months as recommended this poses many other health problems. There has been case studies and data showing that in these areas dental health

After all, we have gladly provided exceptional care in our offices – how can we ethically fail to address the need for ongoing dental care for those who may have many years still ahead of them but lack the ability to come to us? (Brown, 5)

Medicare also does not pay for long-term care services, routine dental care and dentures, routine vision care or eyeglasses, or hearing exams and hearing aids. The deductibles are extremely high for the enrollee and their beneficiaries and there is not a limit on the annual out-of-pocket expenses that one could accrue. (Carroll L. Estes, 2013)

Individual states decide whether or not to offer dental insurance for adults under the Medicaid program, explains Medicaid.gov. However, states must provide dental coverage to children covered by Medicaid.

There are many reasons dental care providers choose not to accept Medicaid, but one of the main reasons is the timing of the payments. When you accept Medicaid, you would see the patient and do the dental work needed and receive a payment after its been processed. The problem with this is there is no guaranteed time frame in which you receive the payments. This means you are essentially providing free care, at least for

Access to Dental Coverage. In order to improve oral health outcomes for adult Medicaid beneficiaries, improving access to preventative and emergency dental coverage must be a policy objective for state governments. Washington state exemplified how ACA mandates could be employed in these efforts. Through Medicaid expansion, the federal government initially matched 100% of state spending for the newly eligible during 2014-2016; decreasing to 90% by 2020 (KFF, 2012). Thus, the Washington State Legislature, took this opportunity to provide coverage to Medicaid beneficiaries. They allocated $23 million for years 2013-2015 in state funds, specifically for dental services, to be matched by federal dollars (National Academy for

Although the dental charges are higher, therefore most of the people skipped visiting the dentist. But, some of them often, provide with the affordable dental plans for the individuals or family, discounted dental plans to offer free services accompanied with their dental treatment.

Although many Americans have good oral hygiene due to fluoride and making everyday good decisions, others do not have any access at all to oral health care. Over the years, dentists have been trying to demonstrate the importance of oral care. (“Access to Dental Care”) From commercials to campaigns, dentists will continue to demonstrate to their patients as well as to the people who don't have insurance the importance of oral health care. They will teach them preventative care and some techniques on how to prevent from getting any diseases.