Bernie Sanders: Lack of access to dental care is a national disgrace.

[cal04]

Open Wide
http://sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/?id=8E383635-0A07-4030-98F8-5CD52AFE2755

Lack of access to dental care is a national disgrace. An estimated 130 million Americans have no coverage for dental care. In Vermont, only four in 10 kids have a regular dentist. (And we're the best in the country.) The situation for adults is even worse. That is why Sen. Bernie Sanders supports dental centers in schools. It's also why he also encourages dental practices run by community health centers, like a new facility he visited Wednesday in Rutland, Vt., one of nine throughout the state. To help shine a spotlight on the state of dental care in America, Sanders' Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging is looking into the issue. As the panel's chairman, he is seeking information about your experiences with dental care.

Tell the senator your story
http://sanders.senate.gov/vermont/dental.cfm
Read more about dental care in Vermont
http://sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/?id=b68a14ec-3dde-4e3f-b04f-214a38bddbaa

The senator would appreciate hearing from you about your experiences, and those of your family and friends. "The overwhelming demand by Vermonters for dental service is proof that people are struggling to pay basic expenses - for fuel, housing, and groceries -- and too many people can't afford the added expense of taking care of their teeth," Sanders said. "We must continue to fight to ensure dental care is available for all people, regardless of income or ability to pay."



more at link

[valerief]

1. Sometimes Bernie seems to be the only one who cares. nt

[democracy1st]

3. +1

[phantom power]

2. Dental should be covered for everybody via Medicare For All

But that would be too simple, too fair and too economical.

[NNN0LHI]

17. Not sure exactly what you are saying?

Did you think dental care is a covered benefit under Medicare for the people who are on it now?

Don

[FrenchieCat]

4. I heartily agree.......

[FarCenter]

5. When I've had dental insurance, it has been break-even or worse

It's generally cheaper to pay for cleaning and fillings yourself than to get dental insurance.

[eilen]

18. I don't agree

The dental plans we have had in the past covered our cleanings, annual checkups and 50% of more involved procedures such as oral surgery (wisdom teeth), Orthodontia. I am not covered now and just an annual check up (w/ xrays) for my son was over $250 and I have had to put off his follow up for a filling. Luckily I have a lead on a job with dental-- interviewing next Friday.

[politicasista]

6. A banging kick

from a Dentist's daughter. :kick:

[w8liftinglady]

7. I can't tell you how many young patients I've seen

with dental abcesses, pharyngeal edema, sepsis....because they had NO dental insurance and no access to dental care.

This is a national emergency that could totally be avoided.

[jtrockville]

10. How can someone be healthy, if their teeth are rotting?

You'd think health insurers would catch on to this?
Ah, but that would assume they're interested in providing health care.

[Raksha]

8. K & R

[Manifestor_of_Light]

9. People die from abscessed teeth.

There was a young man who couldn't afford $75 to pull an infected tooth, but the state could spend $100,000 on ICU care for the septicemia that killed him, before he died.

[donheld]

11. k & R

[butterfly77]

12. Kicked&Recommended...

[Scuba]

13. Dental care is the biggest budget buster in my retirement. Now planning a trip to Mexico...

...for cheaper dental services.

[Mojorabbit]

14. I have never had dental insurance

Even back in the day when I worked as a nurse and had good insurance, dental was never covered. There must be a great dentist lobby as they have been exempt from most insurance plans and are mostly a cash business. I need to call mine today as one of my crowns has come loose and I never get out of there for under a grand.

[Quantess]

15. about dental care for kids...

I'm in Sweden now, and dental care is completely covered by the government until you turn 18. All kids under 18.

Edit to add: legal residents under 18, anyway

[Johonny]

16. I enjoy medical insurance covers going to your doctor unless

they are a doctor that works on your eyes, or teeth! WTF. My ear doctor yesterday cost me a 20 copay. My Dentist 375 $. But America has the greatest health care system in the world!!!

[NNN0LHI]

19. Dental care used to be a common benefit for workers when unions were setting the pattern for ...

... wages and benefits.

Now we have non-union workers setting the pattern for everyones wages and benefits.

World of difference isn't it?

I wish some politician would be brave enough to say that out loud.

Don

[cal04]

21. When my grandfather was president of his local they had a huge

building for them and their workers with dentists, eye doctors, and I think a pharmacy inside.
That was a very long time ago.
Very different today

[NNN0LHI]

22. The cashiers at the local unionized grocery store used to have dental coverage

They had about the same wages and benefits as I did working at a unionized auto plant.

Don

[ensho]

20. agree, re: the world is embarrassing to be so behind

nt

[woo me with science]

23. K&R Since when did the mouth get voted out of the human body in terms of health care? nt

[glinda]

24. Full mouth implants should not cost $30 thousand dollars. So huge kick!

[Ignis]

25. K&R

Dental care is health care. The way we silo it out in this country is ridiculous.

[postulater]

26. Nursing home patients routinely have all their teeth pulled.

This is explained as for their health because many can't brush.

[handmade34]

27. "Lack of access to dental care is a national disgrace"

Yes it is

[CarrieLynne]

28. even having dental insurance isnt enough, need two policies!

I've struggled with this my whole life, sometimes I have had insurance, sometimes I havent. but even when I did, a root canal is very expensive, I'd pay about 300 out of pocket (I've had about 5 done) but then after the root canal....you have to get a crown! Crown covered at 50% cost anywhere from 500-1000 each out of pocket! Impossible to pay that and a mortgage too :(

[Zax2me]

29. Well, just find a few billion, start another federal program

Find another 2-3 trillion for cost overruns.
We're already broke and in debt beyond comprehension, what's the point in not trying it.