Supreme Court ACA Ruling's Effect on Access to Dental Care

CHICAGO, June 29, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4
ruling on the Affordable Care Act upholds the provisions establishing
state health insurance exchanges and minimum benefit packages that
include pediatric oral health care. This could expand dental coverage
to millions of additional children, many of whom have suffered with
untreated dental disease. The ADA advocated vigorously for increased
children's coverage, including how the "essential dental benefit" for
children is defined, in the months leading up to the law's passage and
is grateful that it remains intact.

However, the Court's ruling further diminishes the likelihood that tens
of millions of low-income adults will gain better access to care.
Instead they will continue to face such barriers as poverty, poor
health literacy, cultural and language distinctions, geographic
location, and lack of access to fluoridated drinking water that prevent
them from achieving good oral health. Each of these barriers must be
overcome if our communities are to attain an acceptable level of oral
health.

The ADA believes that all Americans deserve good oral health and access
to dentists who can help them attain it. The Association will continue
to advocate at the federal and state levels for laws and regulations
that will improve dental coverage for adults and children who currently
lack it.

With the Court's ruling, renewed attention will be given to
implementation of the ACA, including the role of dental benefits within
the states' programs. The Association also will continue its ongoing
work with state dental societies to secure the best possible dental
benefits for individuals--children and adults--and small businesses
through the state-based health insurance exchanges.