In the News

About nine in 10 voters support adding a dental benefit to Medicare, according to a poll of 1,000 registered voters commissioned this summer by the nonprofit CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, which is focused on access and equity, and the Oral Health Progress and Equity Network. The issue has nearly universal support among Democratic voters and 85% support from Republicans.

According to the 2023 State of Oral Health Equity in America report by Care Quest Institute, when study participants were asked why they don’t plan to see a dentist for preventive or routine care in the coming year, 45% cited cost, while 28% pointed to a lack of insurance.

With oral health being a “key indicator of overall health,” the disproportionate effect of oral disease is moreso seen in rural environments, where 40% of residents have not visited a dentist in the past year.

From soaring costs of health care to record high rates of infectious diseases and widespread mental health issues, lawmakers across the country face mounting health challenges affecting their constituents.

Women over forty often face unique health challenges and disparities in the medical care they receive. These women are at a critical stage in life where they may be dealing with menopause, increased risk of chronic diseases, and other age-related health issues. Despite the importance of tailored medical care, many feel underserved by the current health system.

Recent data from CareQuest shows that about 12 million adults and children lost their dental coverage between April and September of 2023, with an additional two million people estimated to have lost coverage between September and December 2023.

In 2020, Wisconsin was one of just three states and the District of Columbia whose Medicaid programs offered “extensive” dental coverage for adults, according to a survey by the nonprofit CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.

Members of other ethnic minority groups, such as Hispanic populations, avoid dental visits due to dental care related fear and anxiety, but no known studies have directly explored dental fear and anxiety among AI/AN populations. Moreover, a dearth of literature exists more generally regarding dental anxiety in the AI/AN population, except for one recent white paper report by CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.

In a 2022 study of nearly 2,800 dental providers conducted by CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, the scope of survey respondents’ teledentistry practices was vast.

Tim Walz, the vice president nominee for the Democratic Party, could help advance certain oral healthcare initiatives based on his actions as the current governor of Minnesota, according to Melissa Burroughs, the director of policy at CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.