In the News

Approximately 50% of all Medicare enrollees do not have dental coverage, and nearly 24 million individuals on Medicare have not visited a dentist within the last 12 months, according to a July 16 news release from CareQuest.

According to the CareQuest Institute, a nonprofit aiming to increase equity in dental care, 93% of people living in poverty need dental care they aren’t getting. For many, it’s simply too expensive.

Some patients don't want to be bothered with health care screenings when they're at the dentist, but new data says that's far from the norm. These kinds of screenings are sorely needed to improve health outcomes in the United States. Oral health and heart health may seem unrelated, but recent data from CareQuest reveals those with periodontal diseases are more likely to suffer cardiovascular complications. In fact, the risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke is two to three times higher.

[Senator Bernie] Sanders told USA TODAY that U.S. dental care is "in crisis" with far too many Americans shut out of the system. Nearly 69 million U.S. adults did not have dental insurance or access to routine oral health care last year, according to the nonprofit CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.

More than half (52.8%) of individuals in households experiencing disabilities are more frequently denied health care or oral health care due to discrimination. To support individuals with disabilities, the Delta Dental of Illinois Enhanced Benefits Program included additional checkups, cleanings, and fluoride treatments.

The report from CareQuest Institute1 highlights research that shows poor oral health—particularly periodontal disease—can increase the risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). The aggregated findings indicate that having an infection of periodontal bacteria, notably Porphyromonas gingivalis, may trigger the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein in the brain, contributing to cognitive decline and memory loss associated with ADRD.

It's no secret that underserved communities score poorly on just about every measure of oral health. In steps Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, the head of the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, a Boston-based organization that aims to stem these inequities through a variety of grants and awards.

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.

This month, several dental industry leaders spoke with Becker's about the most pressing issues and trends in the field, including DSO consolidation, cybersecurity threats and medical-dental integration.

This model focuses on preventive care, patient satisfaction, and long-term health benefits, aiming to improve overall dental health and reduce costs associated with extensive treatments. By prioritizing effective treatments and patient-centered care, value-based dentistry seeks to deliver better health outcomes, enhance patient experiences, and foster a more sustainable health care system, according to Danielle Apostolon, program manager and value-based care expert at CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.