In the News

Unfortunately, fewer than half of pregnant women nationally have their teeth cleaned during pregnancy. Black women are 14% less likely to get their teeth cleaned during pregnancy than white women, even though data shows no difference in dental visits prior to pregnancy for those groups.

What’s more, one 2023 study found that individuals with periodontal disease may have a higher risk of certain chronic respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, at least one preventative dental visit within three years may reduce the risk of ventilator-acquired pneumonia by as much as 22%, according to 2020 research from the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.

Half of Medicare beneficiaries did not visit the dentist during the past year because they couldn't afford to. Melissa Burroughs of the advocacy group Care Quest says neglecting oral health can contribute to serious health issues in older people --- including Alzheimer's, heart disease, and diabetes. Worse yet, traditional Medicare does not cover routine dental care. As Melissa tells us, it's time for that to change!

Nearly half of children covered by Medicaid or CHIP receive at least one dental service within the year compared with only one-fifth of adult Medicaid enrollees, reflecting differences in coverage policies for children and adults.

Oral health nonprofit CareQuest Institute for Oral Health has proudly announced its rewarding of over $2.3 million in grant funds to various equity projects across the U.S. Organizations in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Texas, and Vermont have received funding for projects that aim to make oral health care more accessible, according to Director of Grants and Programs at CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, Trenae Simpson.

The correlation between poor dental health and poverty cannot be overlooked. Just last year, this “neglected epidemic” saw nearly 69 million U.S. adults without dental insurance, according to a survey by the nonprofit CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.

Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, president and CEO of Boston's CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, echoed Simon's statements. She added that because of Medicare's current guidelines, around 25 million older Americans and people with disabilities have no dental benefits. "There is currently no financial support for adults to purchase dental insurance through [the Affordable Care Act's] Health Insurance Marketplace," Minter-Jordan said. "And adult dental coverage is optional under state Medicaid programs, which means that coverage varies widely from extensive benefits to none at all."

According to the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, nearly 69 million adults did not have dental insurance or access to routine oral health care last year.

Dr Myechia Minter-Jordan, President and CEO of CareQuest Institute for Oral Health®, also testified, highlighting the stark reality that nearly 70 million adults and nearly 8 million children in the U.S. lack dental insurance. This coverage gap exacerbates the oral health crisis, leading many to forgo essential dental care. “It’s up to all of us to create a more accessible, equitable, and integrated health care system that includes oral health.” Dr Minter-Jordan said during the hearing.

Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced a bill May 17 to expand dental care coverage for veterans and low-income individuals as well as increase the oral healthcare workforce. The legislation has been endorsed by several organizations, including the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.