Friday, March 12, 2010
ADA Trying To Improve Access To Dental Care
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Dental News
Earlier this month, American Dental Association (ADA) President Dr Ronald Tankersley testified before the Institute of Medicine Committee on Oral Health Access to Services (IOM), explaining the ways that the organization is working to improve access to dental care for underserved populations.
Before outlining the ADA's new initiatives, Tankersley heavily criticized the IOM for its recent decision to exclude private practice dentists from two U.S. Department of Health and Human Services panels put together to study the nation's oral health delivery system.
"The nation's 167,000 private practice dentists represent some 92% of professionally active dentists in the United States," he stated. "Without them, there can be no significant impact on access to oral health care, regardless of the delivery system."
Tankersley recommended that the IOM create a public health advisory committee to study dental health policy as well as implement an association-wide initiative to address dental health needs of the vulnerable elderly as well as lobbying the committee to support federal programs that could effectively improve access to dental care for the underprivileged.
Another way for underserved populations to have better access to dental care is to make it less expensive such as with a "discount dental plan" rather than the much more expensive dental insurance policy. For more information on the differences between dental insurance and discount plans, call DentalPlans.com at 1-888-571-3856.
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ADA Hosts Summit On Access To Dental Care ( March 28, 2009 )
Dental News
Earlier this month, American Dental Association (ADA) President Dr Ronald Tankersley testified before the Institute of Medicine Committee on Oral Health Access to Services (IOM), explaining the ways that the organization is working to improve access to dental care for underserved populations.
Before outlining the ADA's new initiatives, Tankersley heavily criticized the IOM for its recent decision to exclude private practice dentists from two U.S. Department of Health and Human Services panels put together to study the nation's oral health delivery system.
"The nation's 167,000 private practice dentists represent some 92% of professionally active dentists in the United States," he stated. "Without them, there can be no significant impact on access to oral health care, regardless of the delivery system."
Tankersley recommended that the IOM create a public health advisory committee to study dental health policy as well as implement an association-wide initiative to address dental health needs of the vulnerable elderly as well as lobbying the committee to support federal programs that could effectively improve access to dental care for the underprivileged.
Another way for underserved populations to have better access to dental care is to make it less expensive such as with a "discount dental plan" rather than the much more expensive dental insurance policy. For more information on the differences between dental insurance and discount plans, call DentalPlans.com at 1-888-571-3856.
Related Blog Posts
ADA Hosts Summit On Access To Dental Care ( March 28, 2009 )
Posted by
Mike Kowalsky
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Discount dental plan should be very amazing...dental health should be available for one and for all.
ReplyDeleteLet's admit it, not all individuals can afford dental care services. That is the reason there are different kinds of service packages offered in many dental clinics. In our case here in Chicago, most people are trying to get the best dental services to make the most out of their dental insurance and personal money. The most sought-after services here include invisalign Chicago treatment and porcelain veneers Chicago dental services. Additionally, I can see that the American Dental Association is doing its best to improve access to dental care. The idea of strengthening policies on discount dental plans is a great thing.
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