2018

How Medicaid Waivers Could Limit Access to Oral Health Care

A Medicaid “waiver” is a state request to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive certain federal requirements of the Medicaid program. Traditionally, Medicaid waivers under section 11...

Engaging in Story-Based Work: What Oral Health Organizations Need to Know

This issue brief outlines what organizations that interact with individuals with oral health needs should know before engaging in any story-based work. A companion publication to our Story Bank Too...

America’s Seniors Need Medicare Oral Health Coverage

Nearly 60 million seniors and disabled persons rely on the Medicare program – and only about one-third of them have any coverage for oral health care. The Medicare statute currently excludes coverag...

Treating Pain Is Not Enough: Why States’ Emergency-Only Dental Benefits Fall Short

States have great latitude to determine the scope of dental benefits that they will cover for adults through their Medicaid programs. While some states cover comprehensive benefits, others cover emerg...

Oral Health Questions to Ask Your Candidate

The 2018 elections provide a chance to bring oral health issues to the forefront of policymaker and public discussions—an important opportunity for an issue that is often forgotten, left behind, or ...

An Oral Health Benefit in Medicare Part B: It’s Time to Include Oral Health in Health Care

59 million seniors and people with disabilities rely on Medicare for their health care, but it doesn’t cover part of the body that causes all kinds of health problems—the mouth. Fa...

Buying Children’s Dental Coverage Through the Marketplace

Updated for the 2020 plan year, Families USA and the Children’s Dental Health Project published this guide to help families choose a pediatric oral health plan in their state’s marketplace. During...

For Rural Seniors, Improving Overall Health Requires Improving Oral Health Care

Oral health matters for seniors in rural America. In rural areas, nearly one-fifth of residents are 65 and over. This population faces major barriers to good oral health, including cost, lack of denta...

For California’s Rural Seniors, Improving Oral Health Care Could Mean Better Health

Oral health matters for seniors in rural California. This population faces major barriers to good oral health, including cost, lack of dental coverage, and limited access to providers. Without address...

Health Care Victories in the 2018 State Legislative Sessions

While congressional health care legislation stalled and federal actions undermined provisions of the Affordable Care Act, state policymakers stepped up to address a range of issues affecting health ca...