ADA reaffirms commitment to oral health through editorial
Association president pens letter to President-elect Trump, Congress
As the new administration transitions into office, the American Dental Association is encouraging federal officials to consider the importance of oral health and its effect on overall health.
The Association placed an opinion editorial, written by ADA President Kessler, D.D.S., in the Washington Post Jan. 19 and sent separate welcoming letters to President-elect Donald Trump and members of the 119th Congress. In each letter, the ADA emphasized oral health’s critical role in improving the lives of Americans, pointing to specific areas of focus and issues of importance to oral health.
“Oral health affects everyone’s overall health and well-being. While policy discussions around health care often focus on medical conditions, it is crucial to recognize that oral health is the bedrock of overall health, with far-reaching implications for physical, mental and social wellness” Dr. Kessler said.
In the op-ed and letter to Mr. Trump, Dr. Kessler stated that research has established a clear connection between oral health and various systemic diseases such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes.
He also pointed to poor oral health as a barrier to education, employment and military deployment, highlighting the need for better access to affordable dental care through government programs and dental education.
A paradigm shift is needed in terms of how the U.S. approaches oral health, Dr. Kessler urged, particularly in the areas of dental insurance reform, prevention and oral health literacy.
“Essential for all these priorities is a prepared and robust dental workforce of dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants to deliver necessary care to all Americans. We must enhance recruitment and retention of dental professionals and fix shortages to ensure that communities lacking access to oral health services are better served. By making oral health a priority, we can ensure a healthier and more prosperous future for all Americans,” Dr. Kessler wrote.
In its letter to Congress, Dr. Kessler and Executive Director Raymond Cohlmia, D.D.S., underscored the various contributions of the ADA Forsyth Institute, which works to advance oral health through innovation and research, and the Health Policy Institute, which tracks trends in oral health, dental care access and the economics of the dental profession.
They also reaffirmed the ADA’s commitment to working with Congress on issues of importance to oral health, including taxes, public insurance, health workforce, dental research and private insurance.
“The ADA stands ready to engage on these important issues and offer our assistance to continue shaping oral health care policies,” the letter concludes. “We look forward to working with you to make oral health care a priority in improving the overall health of our country.”
