Dental Report - 2010-2011
The League is pleased to release the 'Impact of Cuts to Medicaid and Commonwealth Care Adult Dental Coverage on Massachusetts Community Health Centers' report. The report provides comprehensive data from all 48 health center dental sites regarding the level and nature of demand for adult dental services after the cuts; the strategies employed by health centers for meeting that demand; and the significant remaining gaps in access to dental services for the Commonwealth's adult dental Medicaid and Commonwealth Care populations. We hope this report provides decision makers, oral health stakeholders and policy leaders the resources and information needed to restore all adult dental benefits, and promote the importance of oral health as part of overall health for Massachusetts residents.
Dental Care Services
One of the unique hallmarks of community health centers is the broad array of health care services they offer. For example, 35 of Massachusetts 52 community health centers operate dental practices in 48 locations throughout the state. What's more, many of those practices are expanding, while several health centers without dental services are embarking on projects to add them. Remarkably, as the demand for quality and affordable dental care has increased, health centers have responded by doubling their number of dental programs since 2000. In order to meet this growing demand, health centers employ more than 86 full-time dentists, 160 dental assistants, 42 dental hygienists and over 20 dental residents. All together, Massachusetts' community health center dental providers saw more than 130,000 patients and conducted 381,045 patient visits in 2009.
Oral Health Initiative
In an effort to support the growth of dental services at community health centers, the League implemented an Oral Health Initiative funded by the DentaQuest Foundation in 2009. Through this initiative, the League convenes dental directors for quarterly meetings which focus on clinical, administrative, leadership and management issues related to dental care. The League also holds workshops focused on dental billing and finance, and works extensively with CFOs on improving the financial viability of dental services. In addition, the League works as a liaison and resource for outside organizations working with health centers on various quality improvement projects.
For more information on this initiative, please contact Shannon Quirk, the League's Oral Health Affairs Manager.
