Obama addresses U.S. dental needs; Pew report chides U.S. oral care standards

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

Does U.S. President Barack Obama have more than a passing interest in the country's oral care needs? Events this week make it appear he does.

In his first detailed healthcare reform proposal, released February 22, President Obama shares many of the ideas already spelled out in bills passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, including the notion that dental care should be exempted from a proposed health insurance tax. And he took a more personal stance on the subject of oral healthcare during a town hall meeting last week in Nevada. Read more.

In related news, a report issued February 23 by the Pew Center on the States on the quality of U.S. kids' oral healthcare gave only six states an A grade, while nine got F's. With one out of five U.S. children getting no dental care each year, America has made little progress in the decade since the U.S. surgeon general's landmark 2000 report called attention to problems with the nation's oral health, Pew noted.

And as the number of uninsured Americans nears 50 million, more people are turning to discount dental plans for maintenance and fillings. But state regulators have started cracking down on fraudulent discounters -- despite the fact that many dentists use these plans to help fill empty chairs. Read more.

Finally, over on the Second Opinion page, Dr. Helaine Smith argues that promoting the services you provide -- especially those that set you apart competitively -- should not draw the ire of state dental boards.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting this week!