tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34179862826623083572024-03-13T14:40:45.397-07:00Oral Health MattersWelcome to the online blog for DentaQuest, a leader in oral health, committed to improving oral health through access, innovation and affordability.
Through open and ongoing conversation, we hope to provide you with expert advice and information on best practices in dental care.DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comBlogger313125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-12236024831475862982018-03-20T08:42:00.003-07:002018-03-20T08:42:38.273-07:00What’s New? News and Updates!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As the leader in oral health, we always have news to share.
Now we can share our new research, blog posts, big wins, and stories
of our communities all in ONE place.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LkV3Y3cqiDE/WrErdOjmE0I/AAAAAAAABUk/pnGBMu7Fpn0V3qN0ZBI8l7JcOyKsZRKuQCLcBGAs/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="what's new page banner" border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="570" height="203" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LkV3Y3cqiDE/WrErdOjmE0I/AAAAAAAABUk/pnGBMu7Fpn0V3qN0ZBI8l7JcOyKsZRKuQCLcBGAs/s320/Capture.PNG" title="what's new" width="320" /></a></div>
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DentaQuest has launched a <a href="http://whatsnew.dentaquest.com/" target="_blank">totally redesigned News and Updates section of dentaquest.com</a> to be a one-stop shop
that keeps us all informed. The stories, photos, and news articles about
DentaQuest will be updated frequently, and <b>we will be retiring this blog</b>. </div>
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Please add <a href="http://whatsnew.dentaquest.com/">whatsnew.dentaquest.com</a> to your favorites and stay in touch. We look forward to hearing feedback and helping share important information!<o:p></o:p></div>
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-2633277121765998472017-12-21T08:45:00.000-08:002017-12-21T08:45:02.629-08:00Closing 2017 - Ringing in 2018!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 14px;">This December, we post some closing thoughts from people across the organization - together, we share pride and gratitude for the strides we as a company have made to benefit communities nationwide. Let 2018 bring greater progress toward a future where everyone has access to oral health, without exception.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="color: #0070b0; font-size: 14px;">I’ve never been more excited about the future of our enterprise. With strategic change and the work of the entire team we are able to drive both social and economic value to help us meet our mission- to improve the oral health of all. -- Steve Pollock, President & CEO</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14px;">It is a great time to be part of DentaQuest – our future does look bright! -- John C.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="color: #0070b0; font-size: 14px;">Educating and serving the communities we live… feels great to be part of the Team! -- Fatima</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-size: 14px;">I am very thankful to have a wonderful Boss and Leadership team overall. I am thankful for my family and friends. I am thankful for my continued good health.May you all be safe during this Holiday Season. -- Diana S.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="color: #0070b0; font-size: 14px;">Great job to everyone in this organization that works so hard to ensure we offer the best customer experience possible. A special shout out to the customer service team that is on the front lines with our members and providers every day. - Angela K.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-size: 14px;">Looking very forward to 2018 and continuing to grow and evolve our organization!! -- Bill P.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="color: #0070b0; font-size: 14px;">Looking forward to an exciting New Year in 2018 with DentaQuest and our new (and existing) Leaders!! Happy Holidays Everyone!!! -- Susan H.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-size: 14px;">Look for a new blog location in 2018! Oral Health Matters, which remains a key part of our ongoing oral health conversation, is moving ... stay tuned and stay safe. From all of us at DentaQuest</span><br />
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-5633822568059736472017-12-15T06:29:00.001-08:002017-12-15T06:34:31.067-08:00A Quality Improvement Director Goes to the Forum...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This week, staff from DentaQuest’s Institute attended the
2017 <a href="http://www.ihi.org/Pages/default.aspx">Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)</a> Forum. During
this multi-day conference, healthcare professionals from around the globe meet
in Orlando to talk healthcare improvement. While oral healthcare is not a
prominent discussion topic, DentaQuest has been attending since 2011. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-94_yEP8eNLM/WjPXV_lHVcI/AAAAAAAABM4/xtpr77sFQa0FVnmVKItsJ81MO8kfnTAaACEwYBhgL/s1600/DCM%2Bat%2BIHI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-94_yEP8eNLM/WjPXV_lHVcI/AAAAAAAABM4/xtpr77sFQa0FVnmVKItsJ81MO8kfnTAaACEwYBhgL/s320/DCM%2Bat%2BIHI.jpg" width="320" /></a>At Monday's pre-conference Scientific Symposium, Dr. Natalia Chalmers and Quality Improvement Project Manager Carrie Peltier presented a poster on <a href="https://www.dentaquestinstitute.org/learn/quality-improvement-initiatives/dental-caries-management-dcm-collaborative">our Dental Caries Management (DCM) Collaborative</a> results (pictured left). Over 200 posters were
submitted for consideration; the Institute’s poster was one of 70 - and the
only one on oral health - chosen. Dr. Chalmers commented that the buzz about the
importance of good oral health being vital to overall health was inspiring.
Many wanted to learn more about the DentaQuest approach.<br />
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The general session featured a series of keynotes and 200+
workshops topics covering improvement science, joy in work, leadership,
population health, person-centered care, safety, moving from volume to value to
name a few. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This year’s Forum opened from the lens of patient
experience. The keynotes challenged care teams to create a bidirectional
transfer of knowledge between patient and care team; this is, in fact, an act
of caring. Care teams must work to create this space. It truly matters. Keynote
Tiffany Christensen commented: <i>we must ask generous questions to know and
learn what matters to our patients. Our job is to make sure there is equity</i>. These sentiments very much resonate with the Institute.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Later in the afternoon, we heard from Bryan Stevenson, a
social justice advocate. Mr. Stevenson powerfully reminded us that i<a href="chrome-extension://klbibkeccnjlkjkiokjodocebajanakg/suspended.html#ttl=PowerPoint%20Presentation&uri=http://app.ihi.org/FacultyDocuments/Events/Event-2930/Presentation-15806/Document-13018/Presentation_Q1_AchievingHealthEquity_Reid_2.pdf">t is our duty to create healthier communities</a>. We must get closer to the poor and to
communities that have been marginalized, neglected, and isolated. There is
power in proximity. We also need to change the narrative that defines the
difference of race. We must stay hopeful, as our hope has to fuel our
practice. And lastly, we need to do the things that are uncomfortable. We have
to make the choice to do the difficult thing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fCu9VqKk96Q/WjPXTLxQbKI/AAAAAAAABMw/-HKhnXZhZpkUzOCmACxvVZ75RwVfXSfjwCLcBGAs/s1600/DCM%2Bat%2BIHI_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fCu9VqKk96Q/WjPXTLxQbKI/AAAAAAAABMw/-HKhnXZhZpkUzOCmACxvVZ75RwVfXSfjwCLcBGAs/s320/DCM%2Bat%2BIHI_2.jpg" width="320" /></a>General Stanley McChrystal shared his Team of Teams vision. He
spoke about organizational change; being at an inflexion point and ready. He
talked about ‘shared consciousness,’ meaning to connect on something with
purpose <i>and</i> time and focus. “Together
we need to project 'this place' where we want to go and make it to fruition.” This requires leadership that composes self-awareness, discipline, decision
making, effective communication, connection, constant learning <b><u>and</u></b> functional excellence. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Lastly, as is IHI tradition, we heard from Dr. Don Berwick, president emeritus and senior fellow at IHI. Dr. Berwick’s spot-on remarks and
reflections on the American healthcare system ring true year after year, and
this year was no different. He shared a moving personal story of needing - and
using - the healthcare system for his own family. He charged organizations to
“snuggle,” meaning outline a clear and common purpose, <b>be <i>all together, or none at all</i></b> and provide a safe vessel – failures are
instructive; it’s OK to try, there can be shared honor, and we must have
affection and mutuality. As <a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/healthcare/ihi-2017-healthcare-trouble-but-competition-won-t-solve-problems-berwick-warns">this culture is what saved his brother</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Healthcare is complex; like the organizations who provide care
and coverage. Inter-organizational competition is not the answer; coordination
is. And DentaQuest is no different. Leaving this year’s Forum, I couldn’t help
but board my plane back to Boston with some puffed feathers … DentaQuest has
these pieces. We are prime to be the ‘Leading Voice.’ Improvement work is a
social thing. It asks us to reflect, to adjust, to learn from, and to collaborate.
It demands that we ask <b><i>is what we are
doing better or more of the same</i>? </b>We want better; we want to improve the
oral health for all. That means understanding the system, at the macro, meso and
micro levels. <i>All together, or none at all</i>.
We must always ask “what do we want to learn over time?” and chart that course.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cheers to another amazing Forum. Kaiser Permanente sent over
400 staff this year. Won’t you consider joining us next December in Orlando?
This stuff matters!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Cindy Hannon, MSW</i></div>
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<i>Quality Improvement Director </i></div>
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<i>DentaQuest Institute </i></div>
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<i>"When you believe in this stuff, it is easy to write!"</i></div>
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-13785587611408141192017-11-16T07:14:00.000-08:002017-11-17T06:30:04.915-08:00Reaffirming our commitment to oral health in rural America<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As rural stakeholders from around the country take time today
to celebrate Nov. 16th as National Rural Health Day, DentaQuest reaffirms
its commitment to improving the oral health of residents living in rural
communities. <b>DentaQuest Institute and DentaQuest Foundation have been involved
in multiple activities and initiatives in recent years that help to improve
oral health access and quality of oral health care for our nation’s rural
residents. </b></div>
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A few of the highlights include:</div>
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<li>The Institute’s Medical Oral Expanded Care (MORE
Care) Initiative, which focuses on the integration of oral health care into the
rural primary care practice as well as the development of coordinated care
networks with community dental providers, has assisted more than 20 rural
primary care practices and dental providers in South Carolina, Pennsylvania,
and Colorado. Based on learnings from the MORE Care initiatives in the three
states, several publications were created to spread resources and knowledge to
other rural communities interested in creating rural interprofessional oral
health networks.</li>
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<li>White Paper - <span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">“MORE Care: Narrowing the Rural Interprofessional
Oral Health Gap” </span><a href="https://www.dentaquestinstitute.org/rural-ipp" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">https://www.dentaquestinstitute.org/rural-ipp</a></li>
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<ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><ul>
<li>Rural Practice Guide – Released today – that
provides practice-level guidance and practical how-to tips for rural health
clinics interested in creating interprofessional oral health networks in their
community: <a href="http://bit.ly/2AQ0LmR" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">http://bit.ly/2AQ0LmR</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></li>
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<li><a href="https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/rural-monitor/chw-oral-health/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The
Foundation’s support of the National Rural Health Association</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> has enabled
community health workers and other providers in Texas to be trained to
integrate oral health into their outreach to residents living in <i>colonias</i>,
Hispanic-populated communities along the U.S.-Mexico border.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li>DentaQuest Foundation grantee National
Conference of State Legislatures is educating policymakers on issues
that challenge rural communities in their access to oral health care, developing
and publishing resources that can be <a href="http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/public-health-and-prevention/oral-and-dental-health.aspx" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">found
on their website, here</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">.</span></li>
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<li>Lastly, we’ve been proud to see some of our
rural oral health leaders featured in <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jrh.12274/full" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Journal of
Rural Health</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> and also </span><a href="https://www.ruralhealthweb.org/NRHA/media/Emerge_NRHA/Programs/NRHA-Rural-Oral-Health-Compendium.pdf" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">NRHA’s
Compendium of Rural Oral Health Best Practices.</a></li>
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For more information on these and other great projects being
led by our Institute and Foundation teams, please visit the websites at <a href="http://www.dentaquestinstitute.org/">www.dentaquestinstitute.org</a> and <a href="http://www.dentaquestfoundation.org/">www.dentaquestfoundation.org</a>.
You can also sign up for Socious, our Foundation’s online collaborative
platform, to access resources and tools generated by our grantees and partners.
Register here: <a href="http://www.oralhealth.network/">www.oralhealth.network</a>
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-17758666390436577902017-11-07T12:34:00.001-08:002017-11-07T12:34:27.968-08:00Oral Health 2020 is helping unify and empower community voices<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hear from so many passionate individuals who are part of the DentaQuest Foundation's Oral Health 2020 National Network, which is working to address oral health equity, policy, and ultimately improved oral health for all.<br />
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Learn more about the movement: http://dentaquestfoundation.org/oh2020<br />
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-76697914431253158872017-10-27T08:18:00.002-07:002017-10-27T08:18:39.246-07:00Q&A: Dental Hygienist Opens Up for National Dental Hygiene Month<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As October comes to an end, so does the national observance r<a href="http://www.adha.org/national-dental-hygiene-month">ecognizing the need and importance of dental hygiene</a>. For this Q&A, one of our own registered dental hygienists (RDHs) opens up about how she came to this career path and why it is invaluable to the oral health care system.<br />
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<b>Let's dig in with Laura Skaret, RDH, BSDH | Project Manager, <a href="https://www.dentaquestinstitute.org/learn/safety-net-solutions">Safety Net Solutions</a> | DentaQuest Institute</b><br />
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Q: Why did
you decide to become an RDH?</h3>
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<b>A: </b>My mom is a dental hygienist, and I got my first job at her
office as a dental receptionist and then later was trained on the job to work
as a dental assistant. I loved my experience as an assistant and found the work
we did fascinating – including the devastating results of dental disease. I saw
the cycle of dental disease first hand:
teeth would need small restorations, then larger restorations, then root
canals, then crowns, and even sometimes implants. I knew I wanted to focus my
career on helping patients prevent and properly manage dental disease rather
than repairing the damage after it occurs.<br />
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We had a pamphlet in the office that
said that enamel was far more valuable than gold (referring to a gold
crown). I found that to be such a
thought-provoking and accurate concept.
It’s also similar to the old familiar adage, “an ounce of prevention is
worth a pound of cure.” That couldn’t be
more true in the dental field.<br />
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Q: Why are
hygienists important in the care team? </h3>
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<b>A: </b>Dental hygienists are patient advocates. When explaining the dental disease process to
patients, I always tell them that my job is essentially to keep them out of the
dentist’s chair, but I can only do so much without their buy-in. Due to the nature of plaque biofilm, the
daily care that patients do for their own mouths is far more important than the
work that we do in one hour with them at the dental office. Patients go to the dental office maybe two to
four times per year, however 365 days a year they are responsible for managing
their own oral health. This means our
most important role is to educate and motivate our patients to improve their
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Q: What has
been your greatest accomplishment or most proud moment in relation to working
as an RDH? </h3>
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<b>A: </b>I’ve realized that it’s not only what you do, but the way
that you do it that can make an impact.
I always try to be very kind and compassionate to the questions and
concerns of my patients. I’ve had several patients who were terrified of coming
to the dental office when I first met them. Years of neglecting their mouths
and avoiding the dentist would bring them to our office in a lot of pain and in
need of quite a bit of dental work. In addition to using a gentle technique and
local and topical anesthetics, I try to help them feel more comfortable by
talking them through everything I’m doing or telling them stories to get their
mind off of the situation. Sometimes
it’s helpful to listen to their story to find out why they have a fear, affirm
their past concern, and then assure them that won’t happen today. </div>
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When those patients then continue to come in
regularly, you know you’ve not only made a difference for their oral cavity,
but for their life as well. I had one
patient who needed lengthy measures to address advanced decay and periodontal
(gum) disease. After we completed her
first three visits of needed periodontal therapy, she actually sent a card to
my office to thank me for helping her overcome her fear of the dentist. With a more manageable level of fear, she was
able to get the care she needed to restore her smile, which gave her back her
confidence. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Q: How does
your professional background impact/influence/help you in your DentaQuest Institute (DQI) role? </h3>
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<b>A: </b>My primary role at DQI is as a project manager for <a href="https://www.dentaquestinstitute.org/learn/safety-net-solutions">Safety
Net Solutions (SNS)</a>, a DentaQuest Institute program. Safety Net Solutions
helps safety net dental clinics adopt targeted business management best
practices. Our focus is to ensure that
these dental offices can maintain financial viability to stay open and provide
access to care for the underserved. We
also help ensure that they understand their capacity and can maximize access to
care by optimizing their productivity. </div>
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My previous experience of working in all areas of the dental office
(receptionist, chairside with the dentist, and then also as a hygienist) means
I have very comprehensive knowledge of how dental offices work, from scheduling
appointments, to managing supplies and inventory, to managing the patient’s care
experience, to dealing with dental equipment and instrument shortages.
Basically, I can understand and relate to almost any concerns our SNS clients
have. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Q: Why do
you continue private practice once a week?
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<b>A: </b>Although you can technically keep your annual dental hygiene
license “active” by simply paying the license fee each year, I want to keep it
active with actual patient care, as well. Also I continue to practice because I love the work! I love working with patients and helping them
improve their oral health. I also believe this helps me stay relevant and
engaged with my SNS clients and their common concerns. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Q: What is
one message you hope to impart to anyone interested in becoming an RDH? </h3>
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<b>A: </b>Hygienists are super important members of the care
team! As policy changes and we move
forward with accountable care organizations and pay for performance insurance
reimbursement models, I think the role dental hygienists play in preventing and
managing disease will be brought even more into the forefront. When finances are attached to healthy patient
outcomes, dental care teams will attach an even higher value to dental
hygienists. </div>
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Also, there is a massive shortage of dental professionals – and dentists
in particular – nationwide. Maximizing the use of preventive modalities such as
sealants, fluoride varnish, and silver diamine fluoride will help address
access gaps where dentists are hard to come by, like rural areas. Of course, we will never stop needing the
education and skills of a dentist, but if we can reduce the demand for the
skills of a dentist by reducing the dental disease burden, we can help minimize
the gap in access to oral health care. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><i>Interested in learning more about prevention-focused dental care? Check out the <a href="https://www.dentaquestinstitute.org/learn/online-learning-center">DentaQuest Institute's Online Learning Center</a> and let us know what you think! </i></o:p></div>
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-74787000061392408872017-10-19T11:35:00.001-07:002017-10-19T11:35:28.518-07:00Lunch Box oral health education program expands to kids with vision impairment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You may know that our mission is to improve the oral health of all, and starting with young children and health literacy is a great step forward.<br />
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Before this school year started, we supported efforts by <a href="http://www.mycohi.org/index.html">The Children's Oral Health Institute</a> to grow their national <i>Lessons In A Lunch Box: Healthy Teeth Essentials & Facts About Snacks</i>® program. This expansion enables the program to reach children who have impaired or loss of vision. Everyone needs to care for their mouths in order to have healthy futures, and Lunch Box is ensuring all kids have this chance.<br />
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In February, special lunchboxes - now with braille - will be delivered to participating schools along with a volunteer presentation to run the program.<br />
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So what is this educational program about healthy teeth and why does it matter? </h3>
The Children's Oral Health Institute, a nonprofit based in Maryland, outlines it clearly:<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i>Lessons In A Lunch Box: Healthy Teeth Essentials & Facts About Snacks</i> is an educational oral health literacy program developed around a lunch box designed exclusively to teach elementary school children. The lunch box includes a color coordinated carrot case with a rinse cup top designed to store a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss.</li>
<li>The program is created to help children to begin learning early, throughout grade school, about taking care of their teeth, making good diet choices and careers in dentistry.</li>
<li>The Children’s Oral Health Institute believes the program and the exclusive lesson guides, including the Code Red: The Oral Health Crisis In Your Classroom booklet, will encourage teachers to incorporate oral health education as a part of classroom instruction.</li>
<li>The program model is presented is to elementary schools with support from organized dentistry, local dental school faculty, their students and community volunteers. <b>It is important that dentist examine and provide treatment for underserved children.</b></li>
<li>Exposing dental students to programs like Lessons In A Lunch Box may help to improve the access to the oral health care challenges we face throughout the country.</li>
<li>Further, the profession of dental medicine is facing a workforce shortage. According to the 2000 Surgeon General’s Report, by 2020 there will be one dentist for every 100,000 Americans. The program places emphasis on encouraging children to begin considering the dental profession as a career option. </li>
<li>The ideal times during the school year to introduce the Lessons In A Lunch Box program are:</li>
<ul>
<li><b>October, National Dental Hygiene Month.</b> This is a good time of the school year to present the program because it allows the teacher approximately 8 school months to refer to the visual and practical lessons offered by lunch box.</li>
<li><b>February, National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM).</b> This is another great time because much of the dental community looks forward to participating in initiatives that highlight and support the annual observance of NCDHM when dental and medical professionals focus on efforts to improve the oral health of children.</li>
<li><b>Give Kids A Smile® (GKAS) Day.</b> Usually celebrated throughout the country in late January or early February, GKAS is the annual centerpiece NCDHM.</li>
</ul>
<li>The cafeteria has proven to be the best location in the school to present the program. Students can comfortably have their lunch box open in front of them while listening to the presenter explain all of the fun and exciting educational features of the delightful container. <b>They learn about the following:</b></li>
<ul>
<li><b>flossing, brushing and fluoride</b></li>
<li><b>healthy dietary choices and good eating habits</b></li>
<li><b>careers in dentistry</b></li>
</ul>
</ul>
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Did you learn anything new here? By partnering and supporting this expansion, we learned a lot about the vision impaired community and successful ways to help all children develop important oral health habits.</div>
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-27506618172439490532017-09-26T12:14:00.003-07:002017-09-26T12:15:44.685-07:00Hispanic Heritage Month: Highlighting two organizations committed to oral health<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As part of our commitment to meeting the different oral health needs for different populations, DentaQuest learns about cultural heritage through observances like <a href="https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/">Hispanic Heritage Month</a>, which runs through Oct. 15. It is a
month-long tribute to Hispanic Americans who have so richly
contributed to our society, and to the cultures, languages, and
traditions passed down by their ancestors. DentaQuest is committed to improving
health equity and advancing solutions that meet the needs of the many different
people our plans and services touch, in part by supporting the efforts of local organizations. <o:p></o:p></div>
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While the contributions of our <a href="http://www.oralhealth.network/">Oral Health 2020</a> network partners are as diverse as the communities and the perspectives they represent, and impactful in so many important ways, we’d like to take a moment to <b>acknowledge two of our grantees who are working in this way to improve the public’s perception of oral health, and bringing the voice of Hispanic and Latino* communities to the table</b>.</div>
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We know that the only way to develop targeted solutions and ultimately achieve better oral health for all is to engage those
people who are most impacted. One of the goals of <a href="http://www.oralhealth.network/">Oral Health 2020</a> is to improve the
public’s perception of the value of oral health. We want everyone, not just
dentists and hygienists, to recognize and understand the importance of the
health of the mouth to the health of the rest of the body. With this important
understanding, we will continue to mobilize communities across the country to
rally together to advocate for better oral health. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>In California, Vision y Compromiso is committed to improving
community well-being by supporting <i>promotores</i></b>
(liaisons between their communities and health and social service providers)
and community health workers. Across 24 counties from Southern California to
the Greater Bay Area, Vision y Compromiso’s network of <i>promotores </i>and community health workers is serving as a bridge for
both native-born and immigrant people, and leveraging their shared
language, ethnicity, culture, and experiences to reduce barriers to care and
education. </div>
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For example, together with Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Vision y Compromiso
is spreading a campaign to educate individuals and families in the state on the
health coverage available to anyone in the state, regardless of income or
immigration status. In just under two weeks, Vision y Compromiso
will be bringing together these important stakeholders at their annual
conference in Ontario, CA. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Also working on the West Coast is <b>Latino Coalition for a
Healthy California (LCHC)</b>. LCHC is one of the <b>leading voices for Latino health
in California, with a focus on initiating and advancing policies that help
build healthy communities</b>. With their ongoing work to address disparities in
oral health, LCHC is focusing efforts on ensuring that affordable dental care is
accessible to all Californians. </div>
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Like Vision y Compromiso, LCHS is also working
with <i>promotores, </i>training them to be both
advocates and messengers for oral health and its social influences in Latino
communities. LCHC is committed to elevating the voices of those in their
communities to be heard by decision- and policymakers, in order to improve oral
health at a systemic level. A recent initiative champions efforts that reduce access to sugar-sweetened beverages, which not only impact
oral health, but also contribute to the disproportionately high incidence of
diabetes in both adults and children in Latino communities.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We are so proud to support these and so many other amazing
organizations that are working to improve the oral health of all. Please visit
their websites to learn more: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://visionycompromiso.org/">Vision y
Compromiso </a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.lchc.org/">Latino Coalition for a
Healthy California</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>*While “Hispanic” and “Latino” are often used and understood
interchangeably, “Hispanic” focuses on Spanish-speaking origin, while “Latino”
refers to people of Latin American origin.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-37974615509973831552017-09-08T08:11:00.000-07:002017-09-08T08:11:13.993-07:00Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is vital for kids' wellbeing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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September is a big month for kids – not only are they
starting or heading back to school, but this year they also are taking center
stage in Washington as Congress heads back from its own summer recess. <b>Funding
for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will expire at the end of
September, </b>meaning Congress must act swiftly to ensure continued, comprehensive
medical and dental coverage for our nation’s children. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Nationwide, <b>CHIP covers approximately 9 million</b> uninsured kids (and in
some cases, pregnant mothers) in families with incomes that are modest but too
high to qualify for Medicaid. </div>
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<b>States administer the CHIP program in different
ways. </b>Your state may have a separate CHIP program, combine the CHIP and
Medicaid programs, or include CHIP within Medicaid expansion initiatives. Although
administered by states in a variety of ways, the <b>federal government provides
matching federal funds to all states and that funding is vital to the program’s
continued success.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Historically, CHIP reauthorization and funding have enjoyed bipartisan
support, with members of Congress working together to guarantee health care
coverage for vulnerable children. However, with the hotly-contested debates
over Affordable Care Act repeal and replace legislation, <b>securing the future of
the CHIP program may prove significantly more challenging </b>this time around… <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Congress must tackle a significant number of important
issues in short order this September. </b></h3>
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Addressing the debt ceiling to avoid a
government shutdown, authorizing Hurricane Harvey relief, and handling a Trump
administration proposal to privatize air traffic control are all at the top of
the list. <b>But Congress cannot lose sight the importance of CHIP.</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
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Without a long-term solution, states will be left with
uncertainty over the future of their health care programs for kids. If CHIP
funding is not renewed, or not renewed by the end of the month, states will be
forced to make difficult decisions regarding the enrollment of the children in
their programs. <b>Without this funding, some children will be left without any
form of medical or dental coverage.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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We have seen over time that <b>coverage leads to care and
access to appropriate dental care is vital for children</b>. In particular, tooth
decay, the most common chronic disease among children, is degenerative without
treatment and prevention, and research shows poor oral health impacts school
performance and attendance. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>But CHIP’s importance extends beyond oral health.</b> </h3>
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For
example, recent research indicates that <a href="http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/treating-gum-disease-may-lessen-burden-heart-disease-diabetes-conditions-201407237293">treatment
of gum disease can lead to better overall health management</a>—as evidenced by
lower health care costs and fewer hospitalizations—among people with common
health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. Ultimately, Congress must
understand the gravity of their decision – coverage for children positions them
well for a lifetime of optimal health and success. <b>Don’t let politics put this at risk. </b>Instead, let’s collaborate
across party lines to quickly develop a sustainable plan that provides effective
coverage for children and mothers in CHIP. <o:p></o:p></div>
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September 2017 marks the start of school and the start of
what could make or break our children’s futures. <b>This month is about ensuring
our next generation is well-positioned to achieve optimal health throughout their
lifetimes.</b> As an organization committed to improving the oral health of all,
DentaQuest strongly urges Congress to work together on CHIP funding and
reauthorization in time to protect these vulnerable populations. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Make sure your voice is heard! </b></h3>
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<b>Look up your <a href="https://www.house.gov/representatives/find/">Representative</a> or <a href="https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm">Senator</a>
and ask them to renew CHIP funding and support long-term, sustainable solutions
to protect our children’s health care.</b></div>
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-79083327014071862652017-08-29T11:52:00.001-07:002017-08-29T11:52:04.259-07:00Do you know if you have sleep apnea? An eye exam may tell you<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Sleep apnea is a lot more common than you might think, and it is affecting your eyes and vision in drastic ways. August happens to be National Eye Exam Month and this is as good of a reason as any to go get checked out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">There are three types of sleep apnea, but most people suffer from <b>Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)</b>, which makes up 84 percent of sleep apnea cases.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">To find out why that matters, let’s layout a </span><b style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">quick biology overview</b><span style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">:</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Our bodies need oxygen – we inhale it, our lungs hold it, our blood picks it up from the lungs and takes it to all of our cells and tissues. Every organ needs it. <a href="https://lunginstitute.com/blog/low-blood-oxygen-affects-body/?location=Brain">The brain, for instance, uses 25 percent of your oxygen intake</a>. Without enough, your brain function declines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">OSA occurs when the soft tissue of the throat collapses and blocks the airway. It happens continually throughout the sleep cycle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The blocked airway means <b>you aren’t inhaling enough oxygen for your blood to carry throughout your body</b> (decreased blood oxygen). The pause in breathing—called an apnea—can last anywhere from seconds to minutes. The brain then signals the body to wake up and breathe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">OSA is most common in overweight or obese men. It occurs in approximately 24 percent of men and 9 percent of women. African Americans also have a 2.5 times higher risk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Other factors that may predispose us to this condition include:</li>
<ul>
<li>Age – over 40</li>
<li>Smoking</li>
<li>Neck circumference over 19 inches (Trivia: OSA occurs in 34 percent of NFL linemen!)</li>
</ul>
<li>Some of the most common signs and symptoms include:</li>
<ul>
<li>Snoring – although not everyone who snores has sleep apnea</li>
<li>Daytime sleepiness – do you nod off at work; maybe it isn’t that you are just bored?</li>
<li>Cognition problems – losing your train of thought sporadically</li>
<li>Restless sleep – do you toss and turn a lot?</li>
<li>Loved ones mention you seem to stop breathing in your sleep</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1a1c1d;">Despite its relatively high rate of occurrence, OSA goes undiagnosed in 80 percent of the men and 90 percent of the women who suffer from the condition. High rates of undiagnosed patients may be due to the fact that the best test—a sleep study—is both inconvenient and can be expensive for patients.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; padding: 0in;">Sleep Apnea and the eye</span></strong></h2>
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An association of OSA and eye and vision problems is very common and often missed during any type of eye exam or physician visit. At your next eye exam, consider if you have any of these symptoms and share them with your provider. You may help them catch something they otherwise might miss! <o:p></o:p></div>
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There are three common eye-related OSA side effects to watch for:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<li><i style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Floppy eyelid syndrome</i><span style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> – this is the most common and the easiest to miss during your eye exam. The person often wakes with scratchy or irritated eye(s) and some mucus discharge (some people refer to it as crusty eyes) that comes and goes over a long period of time. </span><b style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Close to 100 percent of people with floppy eyelid syndrome have some form of OSA.</b></li>
<li><i style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Keratoconus</i><span style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> – the person experiences irregular astigmatism and </span><b style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">chronic blurred vision</b><span style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> that glasses only partially correct.</span></li>
<li><i style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Glaucoma</i><span style="color: #1a1c1d; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> – everyone should be tested for glaucoma. Its association to OSA is often missed. If a provider suspects someone has glaucoma, and also has any risk factors for OSA, they should consider further screening.</span></li>
</ul>
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<b>OSA is not harmless – get checked.</b></h2>
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OSA is not a benign condition; as such, be aware of this condition especially if you have any of the common risk factors. This condition is a lot more common than you think and will take its toll if not treated. Since OSA so often goes unrecognized and misdiagnosed, mention any of the common signs and symptoms to your eye doctor and your family doctor. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Special thanks to EyeQuest Vision Director Dr. John Davis for contributing this post!</i></div>
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-72835728570015186902017-08-18T12:22:00.000-07:002017-08-18T12:22:54.226-07:00Friday Federal Roundup: CBO, CHIP, and More<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As a partner to states and the largest Medicaid / CHIP dental benefits administrator in the country, we at DentaQuest must stay updated on the latest health care policy trends - in large part because anything in the health space affects the oral health space.<br />
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Recent federal health reform proposals could have significant implications for Medicaid programs, exchange populations, and oral health coverage for low-income families. We keep our employees apprised of the latest happenings in Washington D.C. with weekly federal newsletters, and thought this week was particularly relevant for more than our staff.<br />
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Here’s this week’s newsletter.<br />
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CBO Releases Report on Subsidies </h3>
<br />
According to a <a href="http://as%20a%20partner%20to%20states%20and%20the%20largest%20medicaid/CHIP%20dental%20benefits%20administrator%20in%20the%20country,%20it%20is%20incredibly%20important%20for%20DentaQuest%20to%20stay%20updated%20on%20the%20latest%20healthcare%20policy%20trends.%20Recent%20federal%20health%20reform%20proposals%20could%20have%20significant%20implications%20for%20Medicaid%20programs,%20exchange%20populations,%20and%20oral%20health%20coverage%20for%20low-income%20families.%20As%20an%20organization%20committed%20to%20improving%20the%20oral%20of%20all,%20DentaQuest%20must%20stay%20ahead%20of%20proposed%20change%20in%20the%20healthcare%20landscape.%20We%20keep%20our%20employees%20apprised%20of%20the%20latest%20happenings%20in%20Washington%20D.C.%20with%20weekly%20federal%20newsletters.%20Here%E2%80%99s%20an%20example%20of%20this%20week%E2%80%99s%20newsletter.%20%20CBO%20Releases%20Report%20on%20Subsidies%20According%20to%20a%20report%20released%20earlier%20this%20week%20by%20the%20non-partisan%20Congressional%20Budget%20Office%20(CBO),%20insurance%20premiums%20for%20ACA%20plans%20would%20rise%2020%20percent%20next%20year%20and%20in%20some%20areas%20of%20the%20country,%20people%20would%20not%20have%20any%20insurance%20options%20if%20the%20Trump%20administration%20scraps%20key%20ACA%20subsidies.%20Trump%20has%20repeatedly%20threatened%20to%20pull%20the%20ACA%20subsidies,%20particularly%20since%20Congress%20failed%20to%20pass%20repeal%20and%20replacement%20legislation%20before%20the%20summer%20recess.%20CBO%E2%80%99s%20analysis%20also%20found%20that%20eliminating%20the%20payments%20would%20increase%20the%20federal%20deficit%20by%20$194%20billion%20over%20a%20decade%20because%20of%20higher%20spending%20on%20premiums%20subsidies.%20Trump%20must%20decide%20by%20early%20next%20week%20whether%20or%20not%20to%20make%20next%20month%E2%80%99s%20payment.%20%20Congress%20Turns%20Attention%20to%20CHIP%20%20Funding%20for%20the%20Children%E2%80%99s%20Health%20Insurance%20Program%20(CHIP)%20expires%20September%2030th.%20With%20Congress%20out%20on%20recess,%20this%20leaves%20few%20legislative%20working%20days%20to%20ensure%20that%20nearly%209%20million%20children%20maintain%20their%20medical%20and%20dental%20coverage.%20While%20CHIP%20reauthorization%20has%20historically%20been%20a%20bipartisan%20issue%20through%20the%20years,%20the%20hotly-contested%20debates%20over%20ACA%20repeal%20and%20replacement%20have%20left%20state%20officials%20anxiously%20awaiting%20assurances%20from%20Capitol%20Hill%20that%202017%20will%20be%20no%20different.%20We%20will%20continue%20to%20monitor%20federal%20discussions%20on%20the%20future%20of%20CHIP%20and%20advocate%20where%20possible%20for%20the%20vital%20inclusion%20of%20dental%20coverage%20in%20reauthorization%20efforts.%20%20Trump%20Administration%20Encouraging%20Medicaid%20Redesign%20Efforts,%20State%20Innovation%20%20As%20Congress%20takes%20a%20pause%20on%20repeal%20and%20replacement%20efforts%20while%20they%20are%20on%20recess,%20states%20are%20looking%20to%20the%20Trump%20administration%20in%20the%20interim%20for%20more%20regulatory%20flexibility.%20CMS%20is%20expected%20to%20soon%20approve%20a%20Medicaid%20waiver%20from%20Kentucky%20which%20among%20other%20things%20would%20require%20most%20Medicaid-eligible%20adults%20to%20work%20as%20a%20condition%20of%20receiving%20coverage.%20Arizona,%20Arkansas,%20Indiana,%20and%20Maine%20are%20considering%20similar%20work%20requirements.%20HHS%20Secretary%20Tom%20Price%20and%20CMS%20Director%20Seema%20Verma%20have%20both%20expressed%20that%20they%20are%20in%20favor%20of%20such%20Medicaid%20redesign%20proposals.%20%20Last%20month%20Alaska%20became%20the%20first%20state%20to%20get%20increased%20flexibility%20from%20the%20administration%20to%20prop%20up%20its%20individual%20marketplace%20with%20a%20reinsurance%20program.%20Minnesota,%20New%20Hampshire,%20Oklahoma,%20and%20Oregon%20are%20some%20other%20states%20that%20have%20already%20filed%20or%20are%20considering%20similar%20waiver%20proposals%20to%20submit%20to%20CMS.%20%20HHS%20Proposes%20to%20End%20Obama-era%20Payment%20Programs%20%20HHS%20Secretary%20Price%20has%20announced%20plans%20to%20eliminate%20two%20Obama-era%20Medicare%20bundled%20payment%20programs%20and%20scale%20back%20on%20a%20third.%20This%20proposal%20would%20cancel%20initiatives%20that%20make%20hospitals%20more%20accountable%20for%20the%20cost%20of%20certain%20joint%20replacement%20surgeries%20and%20cardiac%20care,%20and%20shrink%20an%20existing%20program%20covering%20hip%20and%20knee%20surgeries.%20This%20is%20considered%20a%20victory%20for%20providers%20who%20oppose%20requirements%20to%20participate%20in%20new%20payment%20models.%20We%20will%20continue%20to%20monitor%20whether%20or%20not%20HHS%20will%20take%20further%20action%20to%20roll%20back%20requirements%20in%20order%20to%20slow%20down%20the%20transition%20to%20value-based%20reimbursement%20structures.">report</a> released earlier this week by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), insurance premiums for ACA plans would rise 20 percent next year and in some areas of the country, people would not have any insurance options if the Trump administration scraps key ACA subsidies. Trump has repeatedly threatened to pull the ACA subsidies, particularly since Congress failed to pass repeal and replacement legislation before the summer recess. CBO’s analysis also found that eliminating the payments would increase the federal deficit by $194 billion over a decade because of higher spending on premiums subsidies. Trump must decide by early next week whether or not to make next month’s payment.<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<br />Congress Turns Attention to CHIP</h3>
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Funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) expires September 30th. With Congress out on recess, this leaves few legislative working days to ensure that nearly 9 million children maintain their medical and dental coverage. While CHIP reauthorization has historically been a bipartisan issue through the years, the hotly-contested debates over ACA repeal and replacement have left state officials anxiously awaiting assurances from Capitol Hill that 2017 will be no different. We will continue to monitor federal discussions on the future of CHIP and advocate where possible for the vital inclusion of dental coverage in reauthorization efforts.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Trump Administration Encouraging Medicaid Redesign Efforts, State Innovation</h3>
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As Congress takes a pause on repeal and replacement efforts while they are on recess, states are looking to the Trump administration in the interim for more regulatory flexibility. CMS is expected to soon approve a Medicaid waiver from Kentucky which among other things would require most Medicaid-eligible adults to work as a condition of receiving coverage. Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, and Maine are considering similar work requirements. HHS Secretary Tom Price and CMS Director Seema Verma have both expressed that they are in favor of such Medicaid redesign proposals.<br />
<br />
Last month Alaska became the first state to get increased flexibility from the administration to prop up its individual marketplace with a reinsurance program. Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon are some other states that have already filed or are considering similar waiver proposals to submit to CMS.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
HHS Proposes to End Obama-era Payment Programs</h3>
<br />
HHS Secretary Price has announced plans to eliminate two Obama-era Medicare bundled payment programs and scale back on a third. This proposal would cancel initiatives that make hospitals more accountable for the cost of certain joint replacement surgeries and cardiac care, and shrink an existing program covering hip and knee surgeries. This is considered a victory for providers who oppose requirements to participate in new payment models. We will continue to monitor whether or not HHS will take further action to roll back requirements in order to slow down the transition to value-based reimbursement structures.</div>
DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-44285970935359680312017-07-31T14:10:00.003-07:002017-07-31T14:10:51.860-07:00‘Action for Dental Health’ in Congress<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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While we all paid close attention to health care in the
Senate last week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee made a critical, yet
mostly overlooked step to advance oral health for at-risk populations. <o:p></o:p></div>
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On July 27<sup>th</sup>, the Committee unanimously passed <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/2422">HR 2422, or
the Action for Dental Health Act of 2017</a>. This bill calls for Congress to
authorize additional oral health promotion and disease prevention programs to
help at-risk populations struggling to obtain appropriate oral health care. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The bill points out that more than 181 million Americans
will not see a dentist, but almost half of people ages 30 and older have some
form of gum disease and nearly a quarter of children under age 5 already have
cavities. </div>
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As we at DentaQuest well know, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/disease/dental_caries.html">caries is the most prevalent chronicdisease among children</a> and can be prevented. What’s more, we see time and again that Americans of all ages are in desperate need of access to oral health care - Missions of Mercy like the one in Wise County, Va., is a great example. Both the <i>Washington Post </i>and <i>The New York Times </i>covered the July event, for which thousands of people come
from miles away and lineup for hours and even days just to get <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/a-new-way-to-fulfill-the-single-biggest-need-of-poor-patients-teeth/2017/07/24/4baad128-707a-11e7-8839-ec48ec4cae25_story.html?utm_term=.c91fd91a2bbe">access
to dental and other services</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If this new legislation passes through Congress, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention will award grants and collaborate with
states, counties, public officials, or other stakeholders to implement a
variety of initiatives. <o:p></o:p></div>
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These activities could include oral health programs that:<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->more broadly use portable/mobile dental
equipment;<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->facilitate the establishment of dental homes;<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->eliminate geographic, language, cultural, or
other barriers to care;<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->reduce the use of emergency departments for
dental conditions; and<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->provide dental care to nursing home residents.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is exciting to see bipartisan support for dental care
initiatives that have tremendous impacts on the oral and overall health of
patients. This type of work will drastically improve the health of Americans. And
it has the ability to address the estimated $2.6 billion in free care that
dentists currently deliver, as well as the nearly $2.1 billion spent on dental
cases in hospital emergency departments – 80 percent of which could be treated
in a dental office for roughly $4 million total, according to the bill.</div>
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Bipartisanship like this must continue and we urge legislators
to make oral health a critical component of any health reform legislation that
passes through this Congress. </div>
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-83997728942307978752017-07-27T13:00:00.001-07:002017-07-27T13:05:54.105-07:00Congress: Protect Access to Dental Health Care <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As the Senate debates health care bill proposals to transform our care delivery and financing systems, we must ensure they protect access to dental coverage for all Americans.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Over the past few years, more and more Americans have been able to access affordable dental coverage. In fact, since 2000, the percentage of <a href="http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Science%20and%20Research/HPI/Files/HPIBrief_1016_2.pdf?la=en">children without dental coverage</a> has been cut in half.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_ftnref1"></a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Medicaid has played a critical role in this progress. </b>Dental services are considered an essential part of the Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) program, which ensures that children receive regular dental care. Adults have also benefited in recent years, with 5.4 million adults gaining coverage through Medicaid expansion. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Other public programs have also helped. Because <b>pediatric dental benefits are considered an essential health benefit </b>on the exchanges, more kids have coverage. Further, many adults have selected dental coverage through the marketplaces.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As more of us gain access to coverage, we see the rate of untreated decay declining among low-income children, and research shows that costly emergency department visits for dental-related issues have declined. <b>These improvements are in large part attributable to the fact that more people have access to dental coverage. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Over the past several months – continuing this week and for likely the near future – Congress has explored various avenues for health care reform. <b>The value of oral health care and dental coverage cannot be overlooked in these conversations. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Let’s not overlook that <b>tooth decay remains the most chronic condition among children</b>, which can affect school performance and attendance. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Additionally, optimal oral health is not simply a goal in itself, but is <a href="https://www.dentaquestinstitute.org/about/news/dentaquest-institute-team-published-journal-american-dental-association">vital to creating healthier communities</a>. Research has shown that <b>tooth decay can result in an elevated risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke</b>. What’s more, recent studies demonstrate that <a href="http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/treating-gum-disease-may-lessen-burden-heart-disease-diabetes-conditions-201407237293">treatment of gum disease can lead to better overall health</a> management—as evidenced by lower health care costs and fewer hospitalizations—among people with common health conditions like those mentioned above or even pregnancy.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Any health care reforms must ensure dental remains a priority.</b></span></div>
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<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">By improving access to dental coverage for low-income families in the past few years, we as a nation have made tremendous strides to </span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ensure children are well-positioned for a lifetime of optimal health; </span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">decrease poor quality, high-cost emergency department visits for dental-associated issues; and </span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">improve the oral and overall health of vulnerable populations. </span></li>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">We hope Congress pursues solutions that protect these improvements. </span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-23289815999410170332017-06-27T07:16:00.000-07:002017-06-27T07:16:37.272-07:00DentaQuest Foundation grassroots grantees ready to leap for oral health<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I recently heard the perfect analogy for our oral health advocacy during the DentaQuest Foundation’s Grassroots Engagement Strategy annual meeting. It’s a saying gardeners have about the growth process of perennials: “The first year they sleep, the second year they creep, then the third year they leap!” <b>This year is the year for the grassroots organizations and their partners to leap! </b><br />
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DentaQuest Foundation’s Grassroots Engagement Strategy started in March 2015 as an initiative to engage those most directly impacted by oral health inequities. Focused in <b>six key states - Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Virginia </b>- the Grassroots Engagement Strategy leverages an existing network of key oral health advocates and stakeholders operating at the state level. The <b>DentaQuest Foundation has funded 20 community-based organizations within these states to provide oral health outreach and take action on social justice and oral health equity, </b>all with the goal of improving public perception of the value of oral health in their communities.<br />
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These 20 grantees represent deep and diverse experience working directly with community members and contribute essential perspectives of community advocacy and action. They are providing community-grounded voices within a broad group of stakeholders at the state, regional, and national levels, a perspective that is critical if we are to reach our mission of improving oral health for all.<br />
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<b>The Grassroots Engagement Strategy has now entered its third year</b> of development, and the purpose of the annual meeting this spring was for grantees to learn from one another about what has been accomplished in the last year, what is planned for the year ahead, and how to deepen the commitment to health equity.<br />
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On day one, <b>each organization presented its community-driven plan</b> that covered stakeholders, how they have incorporated the Oral Health 2020 goals into their communities, 2017 organizational priorities, their proudest moments, and their greatest challenges.<br />
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For example, one organization discussed advancing a legislative advocacy strategy around protecting oral health equity policies, while dealing with the major challenge that oral health is not a top priority for the community members facing other economic and social challenges.<br />
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On day two, many of the <b>Oral Health 2020 national advocacy partners presented the resources and tools in development </b>that will support the grassroots organizations in their work. Attendees also discussed <b>how they can learn from one another </b>and build their capacity to make change at the community level.<br />
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Additionally, there were <b>presentations on different approaches to advocacy and lobbying</b>, including how to provide empowerment opportunities for community members in advocacy and public policy. Partners also discussed how they work collaboratively with other organizations to activate coalitions and networks that share common goals. <br />
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<b>The underlying themes throughout the discussion:</b><br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>health equity </li>
<li>the link between oral health and other social determinants of health </li>
<li>the implications that these have </li>
<li>who needs to be at the table </li>
</ul>
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Similar to previous years, the grassroots organizations returned home with a sense of rejuvenated momentum for oral health. Words like <b>“motivated,” “energized,” and “connected” </b>were used by attendees format the close of the meeting. With the political landscape changing, the role of grassroots organizations engaging in advocacy is even more critical at the local, state and national levels.<br />
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<b>When community members are educated on the topic of oral health and have the passion and understanding of its impact, their voices are powerful. </b><br />
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The Oral Health 2020 Network is excited to see the progress that will continue in these communities and beyond. The grassroots grantees are ready to “leap” into action for year three of the Grassroots Engagement Strategy!<br />
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<i>Guest post from DentaQuest Foundation's grants team member Liana DiRamio. Learn more about the grants and programs here: <a href="http://dentaquestfoundation.org/about/our-mission">http://dentaquestfoundation.org/about/our-mission</a>. </i><br />
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-73260844819771992702017-06-06T06:28:00.001-07:002017-06-06T06:29:16.556-07:00DentaQuest Remains Voice for Oral Health Equity in Disparities Leadership Program<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For the second straight year, DentaQuest is participating in the <a href="https://mghdisparitiessolutions.org/the-dlp/">Massachusetts General Hospital’s Disparities Leadership Program</a>. Last year, DentaQuest became the first oral health organization to be accepted into the program. Over the next 12 months, we will build upon our previous efforts to promote oral health equity for Medicaid and CHIP populations.<br />
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The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recently released <a href="http://www.rwjf.org/en/library/research/2017/04/what-is-health-equity-.html">a paper that <b>defines health equity</b></a><b> as “the ethical and human rights principle that motivates us to eliminate health disparities</b>,” both a process and an outcome.<br />
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Now in in its 11th year, the program gathers a variety of health care leaders to develop strategies that address disparities in health care. We are particularly excited to remain part of this team, which is designed to cultivate leaders who can <b>align equity efforts with the transition to value-based health care</b>.<br />
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DentaQuest is one of five health plans in this year’s class and once again the only oral health organization. <b>Our project will focus on how to leverage data and our national footprint to identify and alleviate oral health disparities</b>, while also promoting equity as a key objective for our own organization.<br />
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Why is it important that oral health leaders are involved?<br />
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<b>Despite progress towards a more equitable health care system, oral health disparities persist.</b><br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Untreated dental disease is disproportionately prevalent among racial and ethnic minorities</li>
<ul>
<li> 42 percent of African American adults and 36 percent of Hispanic adults have untreated dental disease, compared to 22 percent of Caucasians</li>
</ul>
<li>Among adults with incomes below the federal poverty line, 42 percent have tooth decay—that’s three times more than adults with incomes above 400 percent of the federal poverty line.</li>
<li>Rural areas experience higher rates of dental disease and tooth loss with lower preventive utilization rates.</li>
<li>Barriers such as cost and fear of discrimination mean just 10 percent of the surveyed LGBT population say they have regular dental visits.</li>
</ul>
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With much progress still to be made, the four branches of the DentaQuest enterprise—benefits administration, philanthropy, science, and care delivery—will work in tandem to reduce inequities in the communities we serves across the country. This work not only enables us to get closer to achieving oral health for all, but also will drive our work with others.<br />
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Ultimately, our participation in this program<b> steps up our ability to address health equity collaboratively</b> with our partners – from states and clients to providers and patients.</div>
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-50481804252449255082017-05-08T13:22:00.000-07:002017-05-08T13:24:32.092-07:00DentaQuest Institute Releases New Report on Interprofessional Care in Rural Communities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>New white paper delves into the role of interprofessional networks to coordinate person-centered care and improve oral health</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
DentaQuest Institute, in collaboration with the South Carolina Office of Rural Health, the Medical University of South Carolina, the Colorado Rural Health Center, and the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, just released a new white paper , <a href="http://bit.ly/MORECWP"><i>MORE Care: Narrowing the Rural Interprofessional Oral Health Care Gap</i></a>. The report highlights the importance of <b>interprofessional oral health networks </b>in achieving person-centered care and population health improvement. By producing coordinated care pathways between dental medicine and primary and behavioral health, interprofessional oral health networks have the potential to improve patient outcomes, increase patient and provider satisfaction, and reduce the cost of providing and receiving care.<br />
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<a href="https://www.dentaquestinstitute.org/sites/all/themes/dentaquest_dqi/_ui/images/Narrowing-the-Rural-Interprofessional-Oral-Health-Care-Gap.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://www.dentaquestinstitute.org/sites/all/themes/dentaquest_dqi/_ui/images/Narrowing-the-Rural-Interprofessional-Oral-Health-Care-Gap.png" width="320" /></a>The report is the result of <b>two years</b> of collective findings from the <b>Medical Oral Expanded Care (MORE Care) Initiative </b>involving twenty-one Rural Health Clinics and fifteen rural dental care partners located in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. MORE Care partners provide insight into the main factors affecting the initiation of <a href="https://www.dentaquestinstitute.org/learn/morecare/interprofessional-practice">interprofessional oral health practice</a> observed during the early phases of MORE Care.<br />
<br />
The white paper, and a soon-to-be-released implementation guide, offer insight into the needs of Rural Health Clinics and rural dental care teams as they undertook the creation of interprofessional oral health networks (IPOHNs). In addition to creating interprofessional oral health networks, the purpose of MORE Care is to serve as a vehicle for adopting system change in the rural communities.<br />
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For more information on how dental programs serving rural communities can leverage MORE Care, contact Rebekah Mathews, director of transformation at <a href="mailto:rebekah.mathews@improvingoralhealth.com">rebekah.mathews@improvingoralhealth.com</a>.<br />
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-68383465678279065792017-05-01T08:00:00.000-07:002017-05-01T08:00:21.497-07:00Healthy Vision Month reminds us to make our eyes a priority<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
May is Healthy Vision Month. With that in mind, we at eyeQuest encourage everyone to<b> make eye health a priority and take steps to protect vision for a lifetime.</b><br />
<br />
Vision might change as we get older, but <b>vision loss is not a normal part of aging</b>. Common eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration threaten millions of Americans, potentially robbing them of vision, mobility, and independence.<br />
<br />
New technologies are making a difference, but <b>early diagnosis, timely treatment, and appropriate follow-up care are essential to preventing irreversible vision loss</b>.<br />
<br />
Early stages of common eye diseases typically have no symptoms and can only be detected through a comprehensive dilated eye exam. <b>If you are over 40, a dilated eye exam is recommended yearly</b>, especially if you are at higher risk for eye disease.<br />
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As an example, Glaucoma, which causes “silent” damage to the optic nerve, is more common in people with certain risk factors such as African-Americans ages 40 and older; everyone ages 60 and older, especially Latin Americans; and people with a family history of the disease.<br />
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<b>The number one cause of permanent loss of vision in people under age 60 is diabetic retinopathy.</b> Also for people over 60, the risk for age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) rises significantly.<br />
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All of <b>these conditions progress without any symptoms at all</b>. The good news is that with early detection through regular eye exams, they are all manageable. <b>Vision loss is mostly preventable if treatment is started before the damage is done.</b><br />
<br />
Recent clinical trials sponsored by the National Eye Institute have shown great progress in the prevention of AMRD-related vision loss. The latest study results (known as AREDS) determined that people at high risk of developing AMRD could <b>lower their risk by about 25 percent by taking vitamins with certain antioxidants and minerals – another reason to eat your spinach and other green leafy vegetables.</b><br />
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So, do your older self a favor and think about how important your vision is during healthy vision month. If it has been more than a year since your last eye exam, schedule an appointment and then ask your eye doctor about any of your risk factors.<b> Awareness and regular eye care can make a difference. Much like regular dental care! </b><br />
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Make healthy vision last a lifetime. During Healthy Vision Month, encourage friends and family to make eye health a priority. For more information about keeping eyes healthy, visit <a href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/hvm/">https://www.nei.nih.gov/hvm/</a> and download a healthy vision month toolkit.<br />
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<i>Guest post from eyeQuest Vision Director Vidya Baliga</i><br />
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-89782955617695563352017-04-17T10:56:00.000-07:002017-04-17T10:56:42.228-07:00National Minority Health Month: A Thank You to Community Health Promoters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During <a href="https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/nmhm17/">National Minority Health
Month</a>, we’re calling attention to barriers many people must overcome to
enjoy their best health, and the advocates who help them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">One of our jobs as a leading health care
organization is to help people understand what they need to do to stay healthy –
and that starts with literacy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/literacy-skills-are-strongest-predictor-of-health-status-in-united-states-55548092.html">Literacy
skills are one of the strongest predictors of oral health status</a> – stronger
than age, income, employment status, education level, or racial/ethnic group. It is estimated that at least a third of
adults in the United States have limited health literacy and <i>nearly half</i> of all American adults - <b>90
million people - have difficulty understanding and using health information</b>. Because
of that, folks delay taking action, and before long, small problems become big
health issues. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Community health workers are stepping in
to help people understand and navigate our health care system. It’s a very
personal approach to health education. DentaQuest’s outreach team spends a lot
of time in the community talking to people about oral health and explaining dental
benefits and how to use them. National Minority Health Month gives us an
opportunity to talk about the importance of community health workers — <i>promotores*</i>, or<i> </i> outreach specialists. These committed team members are doing
incredible work to <i><b>bridge health equity
across communities</b></i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Community outreach specialists are hyper
grassroots, frontline public health translators. Using the strength of their personality;
personal contacts; trust; and an intimate understanding of the community’s
strengths, needs and social networks, they tackle sensitive health topics, correct
misinformation, and connect people with quality care. In some parts of the United States, our certified
<i>promotores</i> are at work in rural and
urban areas at clinics, churches, workplaces, schools, and even around
agricultural fields. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>These outreach specialists are very
important to achieving our goal of ending dental disease in children.</b> An
estimated 17 million low income children in the United States go without oral
health care each year—that’s about one out of every five children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Outreach
workers help figure out why that happens.</b> It might be because the families don’t
know they should seek dental care for the children. It could be because the
caregivers don’t know where to find a dentist. And it could be that the parents
simply fear going to the dentist and share that fear with their kids. Outreach
workers<i> </i>calm fears, educate and guide
caregivers, and help them navigate the complexities of our health care system.
They introduce families to preventive services, and even check back to be sure
treatments that are initiated get completed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">And
it’s not just for children. Regular screenings and preventive education for
people of all ages reduce poor health outcomes and health expenditures. <b>Outreach
specialists help adults understand systemic health</b> – what smoking does to the
body or how managing mouth disease helps control diabetes and heart disease,
for instance. It’s the trusting relationship with the community that enables<i> </i>outreach specialists<i> </i>to cross the cultural divide and get
people involved in disease prevention and wellness. <b>This is a critical role,
</b>especially where language, transportation and cultural responses are barriers</span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">to health.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">National
Minority Health Month - with this year's theme of health equity - is an opportunity to acknowledge the dedicated work of
our <i>promotores </i>/ outreach
specialists and to give thanks for their genuine <i>servicio de corazon</i> (service from the heart). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Thank
you for all you do to advance health equity nationwide!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">*<i>Promotores de salud, </i>also known as <i>promotoras,</i> is Spanish for “community
health worker.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-90990355806795086622017-04-05T06:09:00.001-07:002017-04-05T06:30:45.451-07:00Prioritizing Our Seniors: Why Offering Medicare Dental Coverage Matters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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More than 46 million seniors lack dental coverage, according
to a <a href="http://www.nadp.org/Dental_Benefits_Basics/Dental_BB_1.aspx#_ftn1">2015
report</a> on enrollment from the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP)
and Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA). And that number is only expected to
rise with our burgeoning population of older adults.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>In order to help more
seniors get covered, U.S. federal policy must more effectively address the oral
health needs of this population. </b></h3>
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Recently, there have been several big news <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-seniors-head-to-mexico-for-cheaper-dental-care/">stories</a>
about the barriers <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-seniors-head-to-mexico-for-cheaper-dental-care/">70
percent</a> of seniors face to receive quality oral health care. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One major contributor is that <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-so-few-seniors-see-the-dentist/">dental
care is not covered under Medicare</a>. Boston College researchers found that the
percentage of people with dental coverage declines by more than half in the 10
years after reaching retirement age -- from 62 percent at age 65 to 26 percent
at 75. Why? According to CBS News, the study suggests the following...<o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i>The
reason: When most workers retire, they lose the dental coverage provided by
their employer or union. But doesn’t Medicare, which starts at age 65, step in
and pick up the slack? Not on your canines, “a fact that a majority of baby
boomers are unaware of…”</i></blockquote>
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According to <a href="http://oralhealthmatters.blogspot.com/2017/01/dental-coverage-has-bipartisan-support.html">a
recent survey</a> of 2,000 registered U.S. voters conducted by DentaQuest via Morning
Consult, <b>this is not a partisan issue</b>. In fact, <b>83 percent of Republicans and
86 percent of Democrats responded that dental coverage should be included in
Medicare. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Without coverage, seniors face significant out-of-pocket
costs to obtain appropriate oral health care, as they are more likely to need
the most costly procedures, such as crowns, implants, or false teeth as they
age. Seniors are also more likely to have chronic conditions that may
complicate or exacerbate these oral health issues.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Because traditional Medicare does not provide dental
coverage, Medicare Advantage plans are taking a lead in providing oral health
coverage for seniors. In fact, DentaQuest partners with many of these plans because
they recognize the importance of oral health to the overall health of older
adults. However, these benefits are optional or supplemental and not all
seniors can afford to pay out of pocket for this coverage. </div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>More affordable
solutions are necessary to bridge this gap for our seniors. </b></h3>
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With all of the discussion surrounding changes to the
Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, policies to expand dental coverage have largely
gone overlooked. However, DentaQuest has taken steps to begin addressing this
gap. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A few weeks ago, the DentaQuest Foundation <a href="https://oralhealthamerica.org/blog/2017/02/oha-receives-grant-from-dentaquest-foundation-to-advocate-for-publicly-funded-dental-coverage/">announced</a>
a $668,000 grant to Oral Health America to expand the <a href="https://oralhealthamerica.org/our-work/wisdom-tooth-project/">Wisdom
Tooth Project</a> and increase advocacy for publicly funded dental coverage for
seniors. This project focuses on five strategies including education for
seniors and professionals and pilot demonstration projects to combat barriers
to care. <b>The DentaQuest Foundation has been pivotal in supporting Oral Health
America’s efforts for older adult oral health since 2010. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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As health care prepares to undergo substantial changes,
industry stakeholders may support different proposals but our goal should
remain the same. We echo <a href="https://www.ahip.org/our-vision-health-plans-role-in-improving-health-care/">AHIP’s
comments</a> that the industry must bond together “to ensure every American has
access to affordable coverage and quality care so they can achieve their best
health.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Expanding access to health care, including oral health care,
is a foundational pillar to achieve this goal. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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We cannot leave our seniors behind.<o:p></o:p></div>
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-3206014065142127552017-03-02T08:28:00.001-08:002017-03-02T08:28:28.426-08:00Building Health Literacy with Read Across America<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /><br />If you’ve ever read a book with a child, you know the feeling of joy that comes from the experience, as well as how fundamental literacy is for people of any age.<br /><br /><br /> So it is a source of pride that DentaQuest staff from coast to coast are joining teachers, celebrities, community members and parents in getting kids excited about reading through the National Education Association's (NEA's) <a href="http://www.nea.org/grants/886.htm" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Read Across America Campaign,</span></i></b></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> </span>a celebration of reading timed with the birthday of Dr. Seuss.<br /><br /> <br /> As health industry professionals, we have a responsibility to educate consumers so they can be active advocates for their own health. In its<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> </span><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/shareinteract/tellothers.html" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">health literacy fact sheet</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">, </span>the CDC says 9 out of 10 adults struggle to understand and use health information, especially when it is unfamiliar, complex or jargon-filled. In fact, <b>low literacy contributes to poor health outcomes, higher rates of hospital utilization, and less frequent use of preventive services, in addition to overall higher health care costs</b>.<br />
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<br />According to the National Center for Education Statistics, since 1993 just 53 to 58 percent of children ages 3 to 5 years read or were read to on a daily basis.<br /> <br /><br />Simply reading daily with a child is important.<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Children who are read to at home have a higher success rate in school. </li>
<li>Children who read frequently develop stronger reading skills. </li>
</ul>
<br />As part of this year’s NEA campaign, our staff is visiting schools in:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Columbia, S.C.; </li>
<li>Locust Hill and Richmond, Va.; </li>
<li>Lincoln, Neb.; </li>
<li>Milwaukee and Mequon, Wisc.; </li>
<li>Austin and Red Rock, Texas; </li>
<li>Doral, Fla.; </li>
<li>Snoqualmie, Wa.; </li>
<li>Anniston, Ala.; and </li>
<li>the Greater Boston area. </li>
</ul>
<br />We are reading one of three fun books --<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="hhttp://www.goodreads.com/book/show/328012.Throw_Your_Tooth_on_the_Roof?from_search=true"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Throw Your Tooth on the Roof</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> by Selby B. Beeler, </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3174207-the-tooth-book"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The Tooth Book</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> by Edward Miller, and </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1194497.Open_Wide?ac=1&from_search=true"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Open Wide</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> by Laurie Keller. </span></span>The school’s library will also get the book to keep for future reading.<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
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In Locust Hill <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VA?src=hash">#VA</a>, Jackie wowed <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HeadStart?src=hash">#HeadStart</a> kids Middlesex Elementary with tales from The Tooth Book. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/healthysmiles?src=hash">#healthysmiles</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/READACROSSAMERICA?src=hash">#READACROSSAMERICA</a> <a href="https://t.co/NU6kXJMrm4">pic.twitter.com/NU6kXJMrm4</a></div>
— DentaQuest (@DentaQuest) <a href="https://twitter.com/DentaQuest/status/837076828976099328">March 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br />
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Staff who have already visited classrooms said they felt like rock stars and oral health ambassadors. The children loved the facts we shared about their teeth, including how they should take care of their own teeth and gums.<br /><br /><br />Dental disease is the most common chronic childhood disease – and it is <i>preventable</i>. <b>Introducing children to fun facts about their mouths, teeth and gums </b>through the books we brought for <i>Read Across America</i> is <b>a strong step in building the health literacy skills</b> and disease prevention awareness that will <b>empower this next generation of consumers to be health-knowledgeable adults</b>. <br /> <br /><br />Efforts like these will go a long way to helping us achieve our vision of being a nation where children can grow up free of dental disease.</div>
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-44789905207118251022017-02-01T10:02:00.002-08:002017-02-01T10:11:00.757-08:00Let's Talk Water Fluoridation this Children's Dental Health Month<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C3mTjaYUMAA2c4G.jpg:large" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C3mTjaYUMAA2c4G.jpg:large" width="320" /></a>In addition to Valentine’s and Presidents’ Days, February also marks <b>National Children’s Dental Health Month</b>, with a theme this year connected to fluoridation.<br />
<br />
Dating back to February 1941, the month-long celebration brings together dental professionals, health care providers, educators, policymakers and more stakeholders to <b>promote the benefits of good oral health for children</b> through various activities and events.<br />
<br />
This year’s campaign slogan is <b>“Choose Tap Water for a Sparkling Smile,”</b> focusing on the value of fluoridation.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Fluoride combines with enamel on the tooth’s surface to make it stronger, better able to resist decay, and <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/index.html">prevent dental caries</a> —the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2821841/">most common chronic disease for children</a>. </span></b><br />
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Over the years, research has supported the value of fluoridation:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>In 2013, the U.S. Task Force on Community Preventive Services found that on average <a href="https://www.thecommunityguide.org/sites/default/files/assets/Oral-Health-Caries-Community-Water-Fluoridation.pdf">fluoridated water increased the number of people in a community without dental caries by 25 percent</a>. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>A 2010 American Journal of Public Health article indicated that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20724674">a child who consumes fluoridated water is less likely to have lost teeth from decay 40 to 50 years later</a> in adulthood. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
Water fluoridation, since it requires passive action to show effect, offers a simple solution to contain total oral health expenditures, improve population health, and set children up to have better oral health as adults.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Water fluoridation benefits the entire community, regardless of status or background, which is critical to addressing ethnic, geographic, and socioeconomic barriers to effective oral healthcare—a widespread problem in the United States.</span></b> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/DataStatistics/FindDataByTopic/DentalCaries/DentalCariesAdults20to64.htm">National Institutes of Health data</a> indicates that 20 percent of White, non-Hispanic Americans have untreated tooth decay compared to 40 percent for Black, non-Hispanic Americans and 38 percent for Mexican Americans. <br />
<br />
This data also showed that individuals below the federal poverty line (FPL) are almost three times more likely to have untreated decay compared to those making twice the FPL or above.<br />
<br />
This makes dental disease a disease of disparities, which can be prevented, in part, by easy and free access to fluoride.<br />
<br />
<b>Fluoridated water is an evidence-based, cost-effective path to promote health equity</b> and, as an oral health organization committed to improving the oral health of all, it is just another reason DentaQuest celebrates National Children’s Dental Health Month.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-80911459350978501332017-01-24T07:58:00.000-08:002017-01-24T07:58:00.043-08:00Dental Coverage has Bipartisan Support among Voters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As the new Trump Administration and Republican Congress begin their work this month, they will have the opportunity to advance conservative priorities through major legislative changes. At the top of their list is <b>repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which will have implications for the dental health</b> and overall health of many Americans.<br />
<br />
ACA replacement proposals from President-elect Trump, Speaker Paul Ryan, and the nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services Rep. Tom Price should signal <b>major changes forthcoming</b> to the health care industry.<br />
<br />
The ACA’s Medicaid expansion, essential health benefits, and exchange provisions have increased access to dental care for both children and adults. While the future of these elements is uncertain, we at DentaQuest want to <b>ensure that replacement proposals do not jeopardize this important access</b> to oral health. We’ve made great strides in eliminating barriers to dental coverage for millions of Americans who gained access through the ACA.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As policymakers consider different replacement plans, the role of oral health must remain a priority. </span></h2>
<br />
In a recent survey of 2,000 registered U.S. voters conducted by DentaQuest via Morning Consult, the inclusion of dental coverage in public programs received widespread support from voters of both parties.<br />
<br />
The survey showed that:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>83 percent of respondents think dental coverage should be a part of Medicare</b></li>
<ul>
<li>83 percent of Republicans agree</li>
<li>86 percent of Democrats agree</li>
<li>81 percent of Independents agree</li>
</ul>
<li><b>73 percent of respondents believe dental coverage should be a required benefit in Medicaid</b></li>
<ul>
<li>64 percent of Republicans agree</li>
<li>82 percent of Democrats agree</li>
<li>71 percent of Independents agree</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
Dental coverage is not currently included in Medicare, nor is it a required benefit for adults in Medicaid. A full repeal of the ACA could compound oral health access issues by eliminating Medicaid expansion and the exchanges— two important sources of affordable dental coverage.<br />
<br />
Research continues to show a <a href="http://healthitanalytics.com/news/dental-care-is-the-missing-piece-of-population-health-management">connection between oral and overall health</a>. Dental coverage is a critical first step to improve both oral and overall health outcomes, reduce persistent health disparities, and <a href="https://www.dentaltradealliance.org/bcfoh">contain systemic costs</a>.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As policymakers seek to improve our existing health care system, oral health must be a part of the solution. </span></h2>
<br />
It is clear: Dental coverage has demonstrated itself to be a bipartisan priority for the American public. As we enter a 2017 legislative session with significant health care policy changes on the agenda, <b>dental coverage must also remain a priority for Congress.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i>The full survey conducted by DentaQuest and Morning Consult will be released in 2017.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<div>
<br /></div>
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-5664239056539519972017-01-09T06:00:00.000-08:002017-01-09T06:00:33.373-08:00Proud to Reflect on DentaQuest Giving Back, Remain Committed for 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The start of a new year is an opportunity to reflect and consider how we fit into the community at large. Through our corporate giving program and the volunteered talents of our staff, we are investing in our neighborhoods, supporting our stakeholders, and creating leadership opportunities for our employees. Here are highlights from 2016 that will help us have even greater impact for 2017:<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Community is the Foundation of What We Do</b></h3>
<br />
We awarded Corporate Giving funds to safety net dental programs and community organizations that help thousands of at-risk children, families, people with disabilities, and seniors. We were also involved with organizations working to feed the hungry, prepare the next generation workforce, end health disparities and inequity, and help neighbors who are struggling to get through each day.<br />
<br />
<b>In 2016, DentaQuest’s Giving Program touched 165 organizations in 26 states.</b> And that is in addition to the <b>millions of dollars in investments made by our DentaQuest Foundation and our DentaQuest Institute</b> to community change makers who are working for better policies, financing, and care with a goal of improving the oral health of all. All this matters because oral health really is fundamental to living a healthy life and important to academic and economic success.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Missions of Mercy Dental Clinics</b></h3>
<br />
While our 24 million members have access to quality dental care, there are millions more who are uninsured or underinsured and fall through the cracks at the worst of times. Many of them depend on the arrival of the Mission of Mercy, a multi-day free clinic staffed by volunteers, for essential dental care services. Working with local dental societies and our local staff volunteers, <b>DentaQuest supported 21 free care clinics in 18 states.</b><br />
<br />
Consider that, on average, each Mission of Mercy clinic serves 1,500 to 2,000 patients; the dental clinics that we supported provided over $15,000,000 in services and helped nearly 30,000 individuals who have great needs and few other options. <br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Stand Together in Times of Crisis</b></h3>
<br />
Our employee-directed Corporate Giving Committee directed <b>financial support to communities that suffered in 2016</b>: areas recovering from Hurricane Matthew in Florida and South Carolina, the once-in-a-century floods in Louisiana, flooded areas of rural West Virginia, the destructive wildfires (and tornado) in Tennessee. Support was also sent to Orlando after it suffered a violent shooting and to a help those in need after a five-alarm fire in Cambridge, Mass.<br />
<br />
Throughout the year, we <b>provided toothbrushes</b> to schools, after school programs, and community health fairs serving at-risk children in high need neighborhoods. And through our <b>matched giving program</b>, our employees made additional contributions to charities close to their hearts.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Sweat Equity </b></h3>
<br />
For us, giving is a combination of equity and sweat. Our employees look forward to attending local events that support the community and are willing volunteers at health fairs, walks for a cause, and dental care clinics.<br />
<br />
During our <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/missionmonth2016/"><b>annual Mission Month</b></a> (mid-September to mid-October), we roll up our sleeves and leave the office to conquer high-impact projects tailored to the need of the community. This year, it was to feed families at Ronald McDonald Houses, paint and update schools and community centers, remove invasive plants from local rivers, and reclaim and replant city gardens.<br />
<br />
We <b>participated in 35 events in 11 states</b>. A remarkable <b>67 percent of our employees participated in a Mission Month project, contributing over 3,612 volunteer hours, valued at $93,912</b>.<br />
<br />
Some go even further. Our Living the Mission Awards honor employees who go above and beyond for their sustained volunteer contributions to a charitable organization outside of Mission Month or company-sponsored events. Congrats again to those awardees!<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
What's Next?</h3>
<br />
Looking back on what we’ve accomplished in 2016, it is with pride that we can say we live our mission every day. <b>We truly are the <i>dental company with vision</i>, and heart.</b> Looking forward, we will aim higher, find ways to give more of ourselves to those around us, and ultimately stay true to our mission - improving the oral health of all.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-11271924174462214402016-12-06T06:00:00.000-08:002016-12-06T06:00:18.058-08:00Adult Medicaid Dental is Key to Overall Health, Requires Increased Access<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Medicaid programs are well-positioned to prioritize optimal
oral health in their states through adult dental benefits, but systematic
changes are necessary to fully address barriers to dental care. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although Medicaid programs are required to provide pediatric
dental coverage for low-income children, extending those benefits to the adult
population is optional. Currently 15 states offer extensive dental coverage for
low-income adults on Medicaid, while 17 states only provide coverage for dental
emergencies or provide no coverage at all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Robust adult dental benefits can have tremendous impacts on state
Medicaid populations:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 74.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Individuals with dental benefits are <a href="https://www.deltadental.com/AmericaOralHealthRoleDentalBenefits.pdf">42
percent more likely to have a dental checkup</a> within the year than
individuals who don’t have coverage. Additionally, when parents receive care,
their children are more likely to go to the dentist as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Reducing or eliminating Medicaid adult dental
benefits has led to significant <a href="http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/34/5/749.abstract">increases in dental-related emergency department visit and associated costs in states like California</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Ensuring low-income adults have access to
comprehensive dental coverage can improve employability, as <a href="https://www.sanders.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/DENTALCRISIS.REPORT.pdf">adults
lose millions of work hours each year due to dental disease</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Increasing access to dental coverage can help to
reduce disparities as well because <a href="http://robinkelly.house.gov/sites/robinkelly.house.gov/files/2015%20Kelly%20Report.pdf"><span lang="EN">untreated dental disease disproportionately afflicts racial and ethnic minorities</span></a><span lang="EN">.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/treating-gum-disease-may-lessen-burden-heart-disease-diabetes-conditions-201407237293">Treatment
of gum disease can lead to better health management</a> — as evidenced by lower
health care costs and fewer hospitalizations — among people with common health
conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and pregnancy. These links
to improved overall health management are particularly critical for Medicaid
beneficiaries.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
The economic, oral health, and overall health outcomes above are
tremendous arguments for states to invest in a Medicaid adult dental benefit, but
<b>access challenges will persist without systematic approaches to oral health. </b></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In this month’s <a href="http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/35/12/2268.abstract">publication of <i>Health Affairs</i></a>, research conducted by the DentaQuest Institute and the
American Dental Association shows that <b>emergency department utilization for
oral health conditions rose in Kentucky after Medicaid expansion</b>, which
included a dental benefit for adults. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In the emergency department, patients generally receive palliative
and costly care. A combination of pain-management (usually opioids) and
infection <a href="http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Science%20and%20Research/HPI/Files/HPIBrief_0415_2.ashx">management for preventable conditions costs the U.S. health care system an estimated $1.6 billion annually.</a><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Presumably, increasing coverage under Medicaid would have reduced
emergency department utilization and associated costs. Why didn’t this happen
for Kentucky?</b></h3>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although Kentucky expanded dental coverage to adults in
Medicaid, the state still faced many challenges:<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">23 percent of low-income individuals cited </span><a href="http://www.ada.org/en/science-research/health-policy-institute/oral-health-and-well-being/Kentucky-facts" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">inconvenient
locations or time as a reason to avoid going to a dentist</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Kentucky’s </span><a href="http://www.ada.org/en/science-research/health-policy-institute/oral-health-care-system/Kentucky-facts" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">reimbursement
for dental services was 44 percent of commercial rates</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Due to few dental providers in the state,
Kentucky had 99 dental health provider shortage areas, and </span><a href="http://kff.org/other/state-indicator/dental-care-health-professional-shortage-areas-hpsas/?currentTimeframe=0&sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">only
39 percent of Kentucky dentists participated</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> in the Medicaid program.</span></li>
</ul>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Coverage is a critical first step to ensuring access to
dental services for adults served by Medicaid, but it cannot be the only step. </h4>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While information in Kentucky suggests that an increase in emergency department
use following the addition of an adult Medicaid dental benefit is likely
temporary, <b>strategies to improve oral health in a state must go beyond coverage
alone. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Key strategies that states must consider include:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>provider capacity and support, </li>
<li>reimbursement rates,</li>
<li>dynamic
oral health education, and </li>
<li>the integration of oral health screenings and/or
referrals into primary care are. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
These
factors are critical to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate care
in a timely manner and in the most appropriate setting.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Fortunately, organizations like DentaQuest are creating
multi-pronged approaches to these systemic oral health challenges. </h3>
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<br /></div>
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At DentaQuest, we align philanthropy, science, coverage and
care to improve the oral health of all. DentaQuest Foundation delivers millions
of dollars in <b>grant funding to hundreds of initiatives </b>across the nation,
fostering oral health innovation at the grassroots level. <b>Ideas that prove most
promising are leveraged by the DentaQuest Institute</b>, which develops innovative
clinical care and practice management solutions to help providers deliver
optimal care. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Programs and <b>initiatives that prove to be both effective and
scalable by the DentaQuest Institute are then integrated in a broader fashion</b>
by DentaQuest Benefits Administration and the DentaQuest Care Group, fueling a comprehensive
disease management approach toward health that is prevention-focused and
outcome-driven. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
We are more than just a dental administrator. We are an
incubator of innovation and a proving ground for pioneering initiatives in the
oral health space that improve health. </h4>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="Default">
These types of collaborative solutions that incorporate a wide
array of stakeholders are <b>imperative to successfully improve oral health in a
state and to achieve the Triple Aim</b> – reduce healthcare costs, improve the
patient experience, and achieve better health outcomes. <span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417986282662308357.post-71819258481638859912016-11-08T07:35:00.001-08:002016-11-08T07:37:08.620-08:00Why are dentistry and oral health care practices seemingly easy to question?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
The topic of evidence in <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/30/upshot/surprisingly-little-evidence-for-the-usual-wisdom-about-teeth.html?rref=collection%2Fcolumn%2Fthe-new-health-care&action=click&contentCollection=upshot&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=collection&_r=0">dentistry and oral health care has been in the news a lot recently, with articles like this column in the <i>New York Times</i></a> by a professor of pediatrics.<br />
<br />
In his column, Aaron Carroll discusses the differences he sees between his own and his wife’s dental journeys, as well as what little rigorous research has been done to support certain generally recommended dental practices. <br />
<br />
What is interesting is that articles like this one and the <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/f7e66079d9ba4b4985d7af350619a9e3/medical-benefits-dental-floss-unproven">popular flossing article from the Associated Press</a>, among others, imply that recommendations made by dentists are based solely on limited or weak evidence – or worse, based simply on what the dentist will get paid for by an insurance company. <br />
<br />
They also leave readers feeling that plaque removal and cavity prevention/treatment are the only elements necessary to address for good oral health.<br />
<br />
Ultimately, Carroll suggests in his column that <b>while lack of evidence doesn’t mean oral health prevention efforts don’t work, we should invest in research to ensure that those things we do are evidence-based.</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">For those of us in the business of improving oral health, <b>we couldn’t agree more with that conclusion. But let’s take a closer look at some of the points that may have gone overlooked</b> by recent press coverage.</span> <br />
<br />
We know that evidence something works for populations doesn’t directly translate into solutions for a specific individual – that is in fact why Carroll and his wife have such dramatically different dental journeys. <br />
<br />
Carroll notes he has had just one filling in his life and doesn’t religiously care for his mouth, while his wife has “more fillings than [he] can count” but is fastidious in her oral care routines.<br />
<br />
<b>This underscores two important points:</b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
1. Every person is different. Individualizing care is critical to improved oral health. </h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
While evidence-based research informs standards of care, it is the dental team that must develop the best care plan for any given person’s situation. That is why DentaQuest invests in the development and adoption of <b>evidence-based care protocols that focus on prevention, early intervention and disease management</b>. <br />
<br />
Our investments in <a href="https://www.dentaquestinstitute.org/learn/quality-improvement-initiatives/dental-caries-management-dcm-collaborative">disease management and risk assessment</a> help provide dental teams with the knowledge and tools they need to best serve their patients. <br />
<br />
For instance, across a five-year period, the <a href="http://www.dentaquestohc.com/">DentaQuest Oral HealthCenter</a> demonstrated that risk assessment and intense preventive efforts (including sealants and fluoride varnish) <b>directly resulted in a reduction in the need for invasive surgical procedures</b>. <br />
<br />
Sealants are one of the most cost-effective strategies for protecting teeth, as noted in another <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/20/upshot/defending-your-childrens-teeth-and-dentists-the-value-of-sealants.html?contentCollection=smarter-living&hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=2">recent <i>New York Times</i> column</a>. This is because they provide a physical barrier against cavities. They can even be applied to teeth that are just starting to show signs of new cavities, and stop them from getting bigger. <br />
<br />
The best time to seal a tooth is immediately after it erupts in the mouth, and so the DentaQuest Oral Health Center strives to set aside extra time at visits for children ages 6 and 11 since the permanent molars are usually erupting at that time. It is also why the <a href="http://dentaquestfoundation.org/oh2020/schoolsystems">DentaQuest Foundation collaborates so closely with school-based health alliances working to improve access to oral health care – and sealants – among children</a> in grade school.<br />
<br />
Additionally, with a patient population of over 10,000, the DentaQuest Oral Health Center works in collaboration with the <a href="http://www.dentaquestinstitute.org/">DentaQuest Institute</a> to refine strategies that make patients healthier. And when these best practices are implemented, they actively improve peoples’ health.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
2. Prevention and oral health improvement do not take place solely in the dental chair. </h3>
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Preventive dental visits provide an important opportunity for people to check in on their oral health habits and get evaluations for early signs of not just dental disease, but also chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. <br />
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Most of us spend two hours a year in a dental office. And, if we are to reconsider the benefit of two annual preventive visits as Carroll suggests, some of us might end up spending even less time with a clinician. So what about the other 8,758 hours? <br />
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The differences in the oral health of Carroll and his wife are not because he brushes with an electric toothbrush every day or because she is doing something “wrong” in her routine. <b>Oral health care is more than just brushing and flossing. In fact, it is about more than your teeth and gums.</b><br />
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To make an impact, <b>we have to take a look at how we pay for oral health care, how our public policies enable it, and how our communities prioritize it</b>, in addition to how we provide it. <br />
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Addressing just one of those will not improve oral health care on the larger scale or reduce health care costs, as Carroll aims to do with his recommendations. We know oral health care is indeed critical for overall health. This is why <b>we at DentaQuest look far beyond the dental chair</b>.<br />
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For example, as part of <a href="http://dentaquestfoundation.org/oh2020">Oral Health 2020</a>, the DentaQuest Foundation is investing in efforts to <a href="http://dentaquestfoundation.org/oh2020/schoolsystems">incorporate oral health into the primary education system</a>. Oral health education, screenings, assisted referral, and delivery of preventive care through our schools provide equitable, reliable entry into long-term oral health care. <br />
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DentaQuest also champions efforts to include innovative financing models for dental in <a href="http://dentaquestfoundation.org/oh2020/adultdental/patientcenteredcare">person-centered approaches to care</a> enabled by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).<br />
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Over the last decade, we’ve seen significant movement to transform our health care system into one that improves quality, lowers costs, and makes people healthier. In fact, <b>on the medical side the <a href="http://www.ihi.org/engage/initiatives/tripleaim/pages/default.aspx">Triple Aim</a> is starting to be supported by alternative payment and care delivery models</b> that are person-centered and focus on prevention.<br />
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Why did that happen? Because experts and advocates knew there had to be a better way forward for a healthier America.</h3>
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The same is true for oral health. We are beginning to see that it is possible to live in a world where optimal oral health is the expectation, not the exception. We must continue to invest the same transformative energy into improving the oral health of all because you cannot have optimal overall health without optimal oral health.</div>
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DentaQuesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16850766219775341201noreply@blogger.com