As Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, I recently convened a hearing to examine the dental care crisis in the United States. In preparation for this hearing, I invited Americans from across the country to share their experiences with dental care in our nation. The responses we received were heart-wrenching, with individuals expressing constant pain, financial barriers, lack of access to dentists, inadequate insurance coverage, and concerns about their children’s dental health.
If we are serious about addressing the dental crisis in America, Congress must take bold action. One individual from Georgia shared that she has been living with temporary caps on her two front teeth for the past 15 years after breaking them as a child. She has been unable to afford permanent replacements, and the temporary caps flake off into her food every time she eats.
A gentleman from Wisconsin shared that it would cost him $1,000 per tooth to get crowns to cover his cracked and broken teeth. Despite having dental insurance, the procedure is not covered.
These are not isolated experiences; they reflect a widespread crisis in dental care access and affordability in America. Nearly 70 million adults and 8 million children in the United States lack dental insurance. Even those who have dental insurance often find it inadequate, with nearly half skipping appointments due to financial constraints.
The lack of affordable dental care disproportionately affects low-income Americans, pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, rural residents, and communities of color. The situation has become so dire that hundreds of thousands of Americans travel to countries like Mexico, Costa Rica, and India each year to receive dental care at a fraction of the cost.
The consequences of poor dental health extend far beyond aesthetics. Individuals with poor dental health are at increased risk for diabetes, digestive problems, and adverse birth outcomes. Nearly half of adults in America have some form of periodontal disease, which significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious cardiovascular events.
To address this crisis, I have introduced the most comprehensive dental care legislation in the history of our country. This legislation would:
* Expand the number of dentists, dental hygienists, and dental therapists, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
* Increase reimbursement rates for dental procedures under Medicaid.
* Expand high-quality and comprehensive dental insurance coverage through Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA.
* Provide dental care services in schools and nursing homes through community health centers.
In my home state of Vermont, 9 out of 11 health centers provide quality and affordable dental care to nearly 40,000 people. Additionally, most of these health centers offer dental services in schools. Nationally, 89% of health centers offer dental services. This legislation would expand dental care to all health centers in America.
Dental care should not be a luxury; it is a fundamental aspect of overall health and well-being. This legislation represents a bold step towards ensuring that every American has access to the dental care they need and deserve. It is time for us to prioritize the dental health of our nation and pass this comprehensive dental care legislation.
