Millions Lack Dental Coverage—Why Aren’t Politicians Talking About It?
In every election cycle, we hear candidates debate key issues like healthcare, abortion, and prescription drug prices, but one crucial topic continues to be left out: dental care. Despite its undeniable importance to overall health and well-being, dental coverage rarely makes it into political platforms or presidential debates. This silence is puzzling, especially when you consider that dental care impacts millions of Americans—affecting their physical health, financial security, and even dignity.
So, why aren’t politicians talking about dental care? And more importantly, why should they? This issue isn't just about benefiting patients; it’s also about improving the dental profession and healthcare systems as a whole.
The Overlooked Healthcare Crisis
More than 69 million Americans lacked dental insurance in 2022, leaving them without access to basic dental care. This isn’t just a matter of cosmetic concerns or discomfort—poor oral health is directly linked to serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and infections. Yet, when healthcare is debated on the campaign trail, dental care remains on the back burner.
In a recent poll, 90% of voters supported adding dental benefits to Medicare. Interestingly, dental coverage ranked higher on the list of healthcare priorities than even abortion rights and insulin prices. So, why isn’t this popular issue being discussed by political leaders?
The Cost of Ignoring Dental Care
For patients, the lack of affordable dental care has far-reaching consequences. Untreated dental issues can lead to more severe health problems, higher medical costs, and reduced quality of life. For seniors, the situation is particularly dire—many are forced to skip routine cleanings, fillings, or extractions because Medicare doesn’t cover these essential services. This leads to chronic pain, malnutrition, and in some cases, life-threatening infections.
The financial burden is equally significant. Many Americans, even those with dental insurance, face hefty out-of-pocket costs for basic procedures. A root canal and crown, for example, can easily cost thousands of dollars, forcing patients to make tough choices between paying for oral health or other essential needs.
For politicians, there’s a clear opportunity here: advocate for dental care as a core healthcare issue, and you’re not only addressing a major voter concern but also championing an issue that transcends party lines.
How Dental Care Benefits Dentists
The discussion of dental care as a political priority isn't just about patients—it also has profound implications for dental professionals.
Increased Patient Volume: Expanding dental coverage, particularly through Medicare and Medicaid, would mean more patients accessing care. For dentists, this translates to a larger patient base and more predictable revenue. Instead of focusing on high-cost emergency procedures for uninsured patients, dental practices could perform more preventive care, improving overall outcomes.
Reduced Financial Strain: Dentists frequently face the dilemma of providing necessary care for patients who can’t afford it. This not only affects their ability to operate sustainably but also creates emotional strain. Expanding dental coverage would relieve some of this financial pressure, allowing dentists to focus on quality care without worrying about whether their patients can pay upfront.
Addressing Health Equity: Dentists are in a unique position to address health equity issues in underserved communities. Expanding coverage could lead to more support for dental practices in rural and low-income areas, enabling dentists to play a more direct role in improving public health outcomes for marginalized populations.
Why Politicians Should Take Notice
Dental care affects every voter—whether they’re a senior struggling to pay for a basic cleaning, a parent dealing with a child’s cavities, or an individual facing mounting medical bills because of untreated oral health issues. This is an issue that transcends age, race, and political affiliation. It’s a unifying issue that voters across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support.
For politicians, addressing dental care is an opportunity to:
Align with voter priorities: With 90% of voters supporting dental benefits in Medicare, this is a rare bipartisan issue.
Improve public health outcomes: By including dental care in healthcare reforms, politicians can directly address preventable diseases and reduce overall healthcare costs.
Support healthcare professionals: Dentists, hygienists, and other oral health professionals would benefit from expanded coverage, leading to healthier practices and better care for their patients.
The Time for Action Is Now
The lack of dental coverage affects everyone. It’s not just about whether you can afford a crown or a filling—it’s about ensuring long-term health, reducing medical costs, and improving the quality of life for millions of Americans. It’s time politicians take this issue seriously and give dental care the attention it deserves.
As dental professionals, we have a responsibility to advocate for this issue—not only for the benefit of our patients but also for the future of our profession. Politicians, healthcare leaders, and dental professionals alike need to work together to make comprehensive dental care accessible for all Americans.
Let’s not wait until the next election to make dental care a priority. This is a public health issue, an economic issue, and a human issue that needs to be addressed now.
