"We can and must do more to improve access to care, particularly for the underserved. Society as a whole must place value on good oral health care."
CHICAGO, August 25, 2005 -- The following is a statement by American Dental Association President Richard Haught, D.D.S., regarding today's report on the oral health status of Americans by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"The American Dental Association is encouraged by the good news from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health that reported improvements in the oral health of Americans. It tells us that preventive measures such as dental sealants, water fluoridation, regular dental visits and programs to promote good oral hygiene practices are having a positive impact on the nation's overall oral health.
"As states and the federal government work to consider Medicaid reform and flexibility in determining health benefits, these positive statistics only further emphasize the importance of ensuring that Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) continue to emphasize dental prevention and cover essential dental benefits.
"The report provides us with another wake-up call that more must be done to improve access to oral health care for lower-income adult Americans, who suffer from twice the untreated tooth decay experienced by their more affluent peers. Minority children also failed to record similar gains as their white counterparts in untreated tooth decay in their primary teeth. Such disparities are unacceptable. The ADA and dentists across the country have partnered with stakeholders to understand the reasons for these disparities and outline action plans for change (www.ada.org/goto/medicaid).
"We and society should find it unacceptable that in 21st century America that millions of children still cannot sleep or eat properly and cannot pay attention in school because they're suffering from untreated dental disease and that too many adults cannot find employment because of poor oral appearance. We can and must do more to improve access to care, particularly for the underserved. Society as a whole must place value on good oral health care."