New Collaboration Will Focus on Data-Driven Recommendations and Oral Health Access for Veterans.
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health and the American Institute of Dental Public Health (AIDPH) have entered into a new partnership that will explore solutions to veteran oral health care, increase accessibility to care, and stimulate rural oral health innovation.
Veterans are more likely to experience oral diseases that affect their quality of life than non-veterans and many veterans do not qualify for dental care from Veterans Affairs unless they have a pre-existing dental condition, a disability, or were a prisoner of war. Additionally, Medicare only pays for certain dental services patients receive in the hospital and Medicaid provides limited or no adult dental benefits in several states.
The partnership between CareQuest Institute and AIDPH will focus on developing and implementing data-driven recommendations informed by the veteran community.
“We owe veterans a great deal of gratitude and having access to good oral health care is the last thing they should be worrying about,” said Sean Boynes, DMD, MS, vice president of health improvement at CareQuest Institute. “We need a better understanding of the obstacles veterans face when accessing oral health care and to do that, we need data. We look forward to working with AIDPH to bring solutions to our veterans to give them the equitable care they deserve.”
“AIDPH is excited to work with CareQuest Institute on advancing health equity in the oral health and well-being of veterans,” said Annaliese Cothron, AIDPH executive director. “Now more than ever, veterans need innovative, whole-person approaches to care in an integrated system that they have a voice in designing. We have been listening to the veteran community, stakeholders, and veteran-run organizations to set the priorities for our joint work.”