Reason to Smile: More MO Children Expected to See the Dentist

Monday, April 7, 2014

JEFFERSON CITY- Across Missouri and the nation, some new requirements could help take a bite out of kids' tooth decay, the most common chronic childhood disease.
Pediatric dental care is one of the essential benefits under the Affordable Care Act, meaning childhood dental care must be offered, whether it's part of a health plan or as an optional stand-alone. That should help get more children into the chair, said Dr. Paul Reggiardo, spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
"We estimate the number at somewhere probably around 16 million children who do not have access to dental benefits," he said. "Lack of dental benefits is a real barrier to care for a lot of families, and for a lot of children."
As a result of the ACA, it's estimated that as many as 8.7 million people age 21 and younger will gain dental coverage nationwide by 2018.
Last year, Missouri received a D in a national Pew study for its lack of efforts to protect low-income children from tooth decay with cavity-preventing tooth sealants. Pew reported that Missouri is one of four states with no sealant programs targeting high-need schools. Reggiardo said tooth decay and untreated cavities in childhood can lead to serious pain, and the negative effects can spread from there.
"Kids who are suffering with pain, they're not getting adequate nutrition," he said. "Their school performance is affected. Their learning is affected. A child in pain is not going to be able to sit attentively in school and listen. And so, the implications go well beyond just having cavities."
The next major deadline under the Affordable Care Act is just days away, with the first open enrollment period ending Monday for those who want a plan this year through the health-insurance marketplace.
ACA dental plan information is online at healthcare.gov. An American Dental Association examination of ACA dental benefits is at ADA.org. The full Pew report is at pewstates.org.

To Read More
Subscribe Sign In
Continue reading with a subscription
Subscription options