Putting Teeth in Health Literacy Month

Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using routine health information according to the National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy. Increasing health literacy, defined as “the ability for consumers to read, understand and act upon health information,” is an important way to improve the health of Americans. However, this is a lot easier said than done. The healthcare industry is plagued with complex terms and explanations, leaving patients confused and unclear about how to stay healthy. This is especially true when it comes to oral health. Fortunately, October is Health Literacy Month.

Oral health literacy is an important factor in achieving true health literacy. Oral health plays a significant role in overall health and dental disease can affect your quality of life so understanding how to properly care for your teeth and gums is imperative to staying healthy.

The theme of this year’s Health Literacy Month is “Health Literacy Heroes” so we put together a list of tips you can follow to become an oral health literacy hero:

1. Improve communication with your dentist

·         Before you leave for your dentist appointment, make a list of your current medications, write down your questions and bring paper to take notes

·         Ask questions if something is not clear

·         Request written materials in plain language

·         Know your risk factors and if you don’t, have a conversation about it (click here for tips about how to talk to your dentist about risk)

2. Utilize materials that are easy to read, understand and use

·         Health Information Translations provides free access to more than 3,000 health education resources in up to 18 languages

·         Massachusetts Health Quality Partners posts health care quality data in ways the public can understand

3. Visit our Oral health Library, which provides important information written in plain language about adult oral health, pediatric oral health, the relationship between oral health and diabetes, and other general oral health topics. The library is also available in Spanish.

Learn more about Health Literacy Month here. 

Friday Dental Download: October 3, 2014

Happy National Dental Hygiene Month! This week, we discover the 6 biggest dental problems for people over age 50, learn that good dental hygiene does more than take care of teeth, and discuss California’s launch of Medicaid-funded teledentistry. Join the conversation on Twitter using #FridayDentalDL.

1. California To Launch Medicaid-Funded Teledentistry: California Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a bill that will require Medi-Cal, the state’s health insurance program for low-income and disabled residents, to pay for dental services delivered by teams of hygienists and dentists connected through the Internet. California is among the first states to launch teledentistry services, which are intended to increase options for patients in remote and underserved areas. This bill will also expand the types of procedures hygienists and certain assistants can perform without onsite supervision by a dentist.

2. More education needed on HIV-oral health link: Knowledge surrounding HIV/AIDS has increased in recent years but more than 1.1 million people in the U.S. are infected with HIV. What many people don’t realize is the important role oral health plays when it comes to HIV and AIDS. In fact, the mouth may be the first part of the body to display signs of an HIV infection. Oral infections can be an indicator of immune system dysfunction. DentaQuest is acutely aware of Tennessee’s affected and at-risk populations, specifically medically underserved residents and young adults. DentaQuest works with community organizations and holds screenings and educational events across the state to engage all in conversations about good oral health.

3. Good dental hygiene does more than take care of your teeth: Regular visits to the dentist not only ensure healthy teeth and gums but also may help protect your brain. A recent study found a strong connection between dental health and risk for stroke, a major cause of brain damage and cognitive decline. The research adds to the growing research that shows a correlation between careful care of teeth and gums and lowered the risk for cardiovascular disease. Good dental hygiene is an important part of ensuring good health. For adult oral health tips click here.

4. ADA supports agreement to cut soft drink calories:  Last week, the three biggest U.S. soft drink companies, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, pledged to cut the number of beverage calories that Americans consume by one-fifth by 2025. Not only do the high calories in soft drinks contribute to the obesity epidemic, but the high sugar content contributes to poor oral health.

5. The 6 Biggest Dental Problems for People Over Age 50: Older Americans are keeping their teeth longer than before. The most common problems for older Americans are, tooth decay, dry mouth, gum disease, oral cancer, and tooth crowding. For preventive tips, click here.

6. Community Foundation’s Mission of Mercy Fund receives $10,000 from DentaQuest for 2015 free dental clinic: The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore’s Mission of Mercy Fund received $10,000 from DentaQuest to support the operational needs of the Eastern Shore’s second Mission of Mercy dental clinic scheduled to be held April 17-18, 2015 at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center in Salisbury, MD. “Mission of Mercy” (MOM) projects are conducted across the country to bring quality dental care to underserved populations. DentaQuest teams are supporting MOMs in Henderson, CO, San Antonio, TX and Rio Rancho, New Mexico this month.

Expanding Medicaid Adult Dental Coverage to Close the Gap

Despite the role oral health plays in a person’s overall health, some states are still placing dental care on the back burner when it comes to adult dental coverage under Medicaid. States have to make difficult decisions as they work to balance tough budgets. That said, states shouldn’t let the health of underserved residents become less of a priority by eliminating crucial oral health benefits. As dental professionals, we understand the associated pain and suffering untreated dental disease can cause, as well as the financial strain untreated dental disease can place on individuals and the healthcare system.

Fortunately, the Affordable Care Act has given states the opportunity to expand their Medicaid programs which has led many states to revisit the importance of adult dental benefits.  In the past year, nine states have been actively reviewing Medicaid adult dental coverage, 12 states offer extensive benefits to their adult members, 20 offer limited benefits, 16 offer emergency benefits, and 3 offer no benefits. Below are a few examples:

• As a result of legislative and community outreach efforts, Washington state now offers a comprehensive Medicaid dental benefit.
• California, Colorado and Massachusetts have expanded their Medicaid adult dental benefit.  
• Illinois restored its adult Medicaid benefit.
• Idaho and Missouri are continuing to offer emergency dental benefits.
• South Carolina continues to offer emergency dental benefits and is expanding the program to also cover preventive services -- cleanings, fillings, and extractions for adults over the age of 21 covered by Medicaid with a maximum benefit of $750 per member per year.
• Virginia’s governor recently issued an emergency regulation to provide comprehensive dental benefits to all 45,000 pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid. 

Many states have gone back and forth on the extent to which they cover dental benefits for adults. However, this back and forth can create inconsistent care as people without reliable dental coverage often do not participate in the routine dental visits that are necessary to prevent the costly chronic diseases that are associated with poor oral health. Also, many people without access to dental insurance who are confronted with dental problems visit the emergency rooms, even when they do not need emergency treatment, resulting in large medical bills for the hospital and the patient.

We believe strongly in our mission to improve the oral health of all so we are tackling the root cause of this issue from a number of angles. In addition to advocating for the inclusion of adult dental benefits in Medicaid programs across the country, DentaQuest is working to strengthen the safety net care delivery framework for the 85 million Americans that lack dental coverage. Through grants and technical assistance, both the DentaQuest Institute and DentaQuest Foundation are helping safety net dental programs across the United States meet their mission of providing high-quality dental care to underserved populations.  

Across the country, we partner with local organizations to fund outreach events to improve access to oral health. For example, we recently worked with the South Carolina Dental Association to provide funding for Dental Access Days (DAD). DADs and Mission of Mercy (MOM) clinics send trusted volunteers into local communities to provide free dental care to adults in need. MOM and DAD events are extremely helpful to those in need, but they are a stop-gap, not a solution to this nationwide problem.

Additionally, the DentaQuest Foundation’s Oral Health 2020 goals target adult dental benefits in publicly-funded health insurance programs, like Medicare and Medicaid. This is a lofty goal and will require community involvement at all levels to achieve.

Our vision is that all people can receive appropriate dental care from childhood through adulthood, and as a result, avoid the pain and financial burden of untreated oral disease.

Friday Dental Download: September 26, 2014

This week, we learn that American adults often lack access to quality dental benefits, young women need to improve their oral health, and millions of Americans who are accessing healthcare for the first time don’t understand their benefits. Join in the conversation on Twitter using #FridayDentalDL.

1.    Why Don't We Treat Teeth Like the Rest of Our Bodies?

The Atlantic reporter Olga Kazhan learned firsthand recently that American adults often lack access to quality dental care when she attended a Mission of Mercy event in Maryland. Only 12 states provide comprehensive dental benefits for adults through their Medicaid programs and three offer nothing at all. Learn more about the need to expand adult dental benefits here.

2.    CDC: Oral Health in Young Women Needs Improvement

According to a study published in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Preventing Chronic Disease, young pregnant women, non-Hispanic black or Mexican-American women, and lower income and less educated women, need to improve their oral care. Women have a higher risk of experiencing oral health problems and it is especially important for pregnant women to receive proper oral health care.

3.    Are Cavities Contagious?

We love this byline in Healthy Cells Magazine about preventing the spread of bacteria that causes tooth decay and how to properly manage risk. We always encourage open conversations with your dentist about your risk for dental disease and remind parents not to put their child’s pacifier in their own mouth to clean it.

4.    Millions have joined Medicaid under Obamacare. Here’s what they think of it.

The Affordable Care Act and expansion of Medicaid benefits has allowed millions of people to access healthcare benefits for the first time, but it turns out that many of those people don’t understand how to use them. Understanding your healthcare, called health literacy, is an important part of staying healthy. This is just as true for understanding your dental benefits to maintain good oral health.

Friday Dental Download: Friday September 19, 2014

This week, we learn about the negative effects of plastic beads in toothpaste, discuss the fate of the Children’s Health Insurance Program and discover that people should have no more than five percent of total calories from sugars a day. Join in the conversation on Twitter using #FridayDentalDL.

1. Fate of Children’s Insurance Program is Called into Question at Senate Hearing: On Tuesday, a Senate hearing set the stage for a coming debate over whether the federal government should continue financing the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  CHIP has helped cut the uninsured rate for children in half, to about 7 percent in 2013 from 14 percent in 1997, when it was enacted. It provides coverage for about eight million children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, the government health care program for the poor, but cannot afford private coverage. CHIP also provides a comprehensive pediatric dental benefit. DentaQuest supports the continuation of this program.

2. Dental and nutrition experts call for radical rethink on sugars intake: In the United States, 92 percent of adults aged 20-64 have experienced decay in at least one of their permanent teeth. Current guidelines from the World Health Organization recommend that no more than 10 percent (50g) of total calories come from sugars, with five percent (25g) as a 'target'. However, the latest research from the University College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine suggests that five percent should be the absolute maximum, with a target of less than three percent.

3. Why dentists are speaking out about the plastic beads in your toothpaste: The tiny plastic beads found in many popular toothpaste brands are approved by regulators, but dentists are becoming increasingly alarmed that the beads could cause more dental hygiene problems than they solve. The beads do not disintegrate and are not biodegradable, and dentists are concerned that they're getting stuck in the tiny crevices between the teeth and gums. This can lead to gingivitis. Over time that infection can move from the gum into the bone that holds your teeth, and can result in periodontal disease.

4. New Medicaid policy increases the rate of children receiving vital oral health care in Texas and Florida: University of Florida researchers found that a Medicaid policy change in Florida and Texas that reimburses the pediatricians and other medical primary care providers for basic oral health screenings and cavity prevention has increased the likelihood of children receiving these essential services by 20 and 25 percent. Untreated tooth decay occurs in 25 percent of kids living in poverty. This new policy will increase the number of Medicaid-enrolled children who receive preventive dental services. Click here to learn more about pediatric oral health prevention.

5. American Dental Association Offers Online Education for Dentists in Long-Term Care: 1.3 million nursing home residents face some of the greatest challenges to accessing dental care of any group in America. Through Action for Dental Health, a nationwide, community-based movement that aims to improve dental care for the underserved, the ADA plans to train at least 1,000 dentists to provide care in nursing homes by 2020.

We Are Only as Important as the Impact We Have on Others: Mission Month 2014

By Fay Donohue, CEO

To improve the oral health of all – that is the mission of DentaQuest. It’s our passion and our reason for being.

DentaQuest is improving oral health in so many ways. We are on the new Health Insurance Marketplaces with individual and family dental plans and many people now have dental insurance for the first time. We are the Medicaid carrier in many states. We provide back office dental benefit management to hundreds of health plans. We work to strengthen dental care safety net offices in every state so care is available to individuals and families in need. Our Institute is using the latest scientific advances to develop best practices for preventing dental disease. And our Foundation is getting communities thinking about the importance of having good oral health and making sure it is part of health policy conversations.

We are focused on improving oral health every day – processing claims, paying bills, building IT systems, selling new accounts, creating new products, answering phones, enrolling dentists, building networks. And because of this intense focus, we have become the leading voice on oral health. Today, we are honored to serve more than 20 million members in 30 states. We really are making a difference in the lives of people.

This week, we are kicking off our annual mission month.

Over the next 30 days, DentaQuest employees are leaving their desks, phones and computers and heading into our neighboring communities to roll up our sleeves and work. In Maryland and Virginia, we are painting the lobby at Mary’s Place, a community health center. In Florida, we are cleaning up parks and community common spaces in Miami Dade. In Texas, we are sorting food at the Capital Area Food Bank. In Massachusetts, we are painting and landscaping at Lee Academy, a pilot pre-school/elementary school in Boston. In Wisconsin, we are working with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Milwaukee. In Colorado, we lending our hands at the Mission of Mercy free care dental clinic in Henderson. In Tennessee, we are helping to prepare for an AIDS walk. In California, we are assembling health kits.  Where there are people, there is the need for good oral health.

Good oral health matters… to good health and it matters to opportunity.

Friday Dental Download: Friday September 12, 2014

This week, we discover that coffee might not be bad for your teeth, learn that parents believe healthy smiles impacts kids success in school and discuss why millions of children are not getting preventive care. Join in the conversation on Twitter using #FridayDentalDL.

1. New Colgate Survey Finds Nearly 70 Percent Of Parents Believe A Healthy Smile Can Impact Success In School: According to the recent Colgate study, a majority of parents believe a healthy smile can contribute to academic success – 83 percent recognize that maintaining good oral health can keep a child from missing school, while 43 percent report that a dental related illness has kept their child home from school. Several studies have demonstrated a connection between poor dental health and low grade point averages and in some cases, children with poor oral health are nearly three times more likely to miss days at school than their peers. This study shows importance of improving access to care for children, which is why we supported the inclusion of a pediatric benefit under the Affordable Care Act and have prioritized incorporating oral health into school-based health.

2. Press Pass: Gov. McAuliffe unveils health care plan: Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe announced this week a new 10-point health care plan, “A healthy Virginia.” Part of this plan offers dental coverage for pregnant women. McAuliffe plans to authorize an emergency regulation adding dental coverage to the benefits offered to pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid or FAMIS Moms. Pregnant women with periodontal (gum) disease can be up to eight times more likely to go into premature labor, according to the state. For more information on healthy moms and healthy children click here.

3. CDA Presents: How will ACA affect dental insurance, dentists, patients?: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) will have far-reaching impact on dental insurance, dentists, and patients, according to a presentation at the California Dental Association's “CDA Presents” conference. More low-income children and adults will be covered, and insurers will scrutinize claims to see if dentists are following established protocols for improved outcomes.  One of the law's main benefits allows consumers, for the first time, to compare the prices and coverage among insurance companies.

4. Millions of children not getting recommended preventive care: Millions of infants, children and adolescents in the United States did not receive key clinical preventive services, according to a report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These services prevent and detect conditions and diseases in their earlier, more treatable stages, significantly reducing the risk of illness, disability, early death, and expensive medical care. The Affordable Care Act expands insurance coverage, access and consumer protections for the U.S. population and places a greater emphasis on prevention. Read more about preventive care here.

5. Tall, grande, denti: Boston University researchers find coffee can benefit oral health: Researchers at Boston University's Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine have recently found that there are oral health benefits to drinking coffee. Researchers found that coffee, which contains antioxidants, can help fight gum disease. The study also found that higher coffee consumption was associated with a small but significant reduction in number of teeth with periodontal bone loss.