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Medicaid Reform
Most state Medicaid dental programs fall short of providing the amount and extent of care — both preventive and restorative — needed by their lowincome beneficiaries . This is especially true for low-income adults , many of whom have virtually no access to dental care through Medicaid . The American Dental Association advocates for increased dental health protections under Medicaid , especially in states that have yet to agree to Medicaid expansion , and helps more dentists work with community health centers and clinics .
Goal : Increase the number of states that have streamlined their credentialing process to less than one month by 10 %
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Nursing Home Programs
America ’ s vulnerable elderly face the greatest barriers to accessing dental care of any population group . But delivering dental care to the nearly 1.3 million seniors in nursing homes has been problematic . Now , dentists across the country are adopting nursing homes in their communities , with the cost of care offset by a little-known provision in Medicaid . It ’ s an immediate and affordable solution for nursing home residents .
Goal : Through ADA continuing education , train at least 1,000 dentists to provide care in nursing homes by 2020 , and increase the number of dentists serving on advisory boards or as dental directors of long- term care facilities
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Goal : Increase the number of states that have a dental Medicaid advisory committee by 25 %
Federally Qualified Health Centers
When private-practice dentists contract with Federally Qualified Health Centers , they are able to help these safety net facilities expand their capacity to provide care to underserved populations – primarily children on Medicaid – without increasing the clinics ’ “ bricks and mortar ” expenses and staffing overhead . Patients benefit because quality care can be quickly and efficiently delivered , alleviating much of the backlog experienced by many health center dental programs .
Goal : Increase patients receiving oral health services 150 % by 2020 – target 50 % of all FQHC patients to receive oral health services , such as risk assessments , preventive measures , dental referrals and direct treatment
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Missions of Mercy / Give Kids-A-Smile
Missions of Mercy events are temporary dental field hospitals that provide free dental care to the underserved . Since 2003 , Missions of Mercy events have served more than 143,000 people in 28 states across the country , providing nearly $ 50 million in free services . Give Kids-A-Smile programs allow dentists across the country to join with others in their communities to provide care to underserved children . An overarching goal is to provide each child with a dental home . At the events , dentists and other team members volunteer their time and services to provide screenings , treatments and education to children .
Goal : The Vision Statement of Give Kids-A- Smile calls for the elimination of cavities in U . S . five year olds by 2020
Goal : ADA supports the Healthy People 2020 objectives that call for a 10 % increase in children 3-15 who receive sealants . Sealants have been proven effective in reducing dental decay on the chewing surfaces of children ’ s teeth
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