Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, how are Americans faring in terms of oral health? Earlier this year, CareQuest Institute conducted a nationally representative survey of 5,682 adults — a follow-up to a similar study in 2022— and found that while oral health has rebounded since the earlier stage of the pandemic, inequities persist. For example, more than half of adults with an oral health problem said in the 2022 survey that they did not seek care, and one-quarter of them did not seek care because they could not afford it.
Fear and anxiety related to dental care often create a “cycle of avoidance,” which can lead to missed care, deterioration of oral health, and invasive, costly procedures that negatively impact patients and the overall oral health system. In a 60-minute webinar on May 5, our unique expert panel — a dental provider, a clinical psychologist, and a researcher — will explore public perceptions of dental fear and anxiety and potential solutions for preventing and treating it. They'll also discuss how childhood experiences can influence oral and overall health in adulthood.
Last week, a bill to add adults to the dental care portion of Maryland’s Medicaid passed the state legislature and is expected to be signed by the governor in the coming days. Starting in January 2023, adults who receive Medicaid will be eligible for dental services, including diagnostic, preventive, restorative, and periodontal services. The Maryland Dental Action Coalition (MDAC), a grantee of CareQuest Institute, was a catalyst in advancing the legislation that will improve oral health for thousands in the state. Those advocacy efforts have been bolstered by CareQuest Institute research and expertise since 2017.
Black Maternal Health Week is an opportune time for all of us to engage in the national conversation about dismantling the systemic barriers to care for pregnant people of color. It’s also time to recognize the importance of providing comprehensive care — including oral care — to all.
Last Call: Thursday's Community Grantmaking Webinar
A panel of experts — including grantmaking leadership at CareQuest Institute and leaders from two grantee organizations — will discuss the historical power imbalances in oral health and the urgent need for systems-change solutions. Participants will also hear about daily, on-the-ground efforts to effect change and learn more about the grantee application process. Register now.
SMILE Health Seeks Oral Health Innovators by April 22
CareQuest Innovation Partners invites all interested innovators to apply by April 22 to SMILE Health — a first-of-its-kind program designed to identify and accelerate early-stage startups at the intersection of oral health improvement and health equity advancement. SMILE is an acronym that underscores the innovations the program seeks: Simple, Minimally Invasive, Integrated, Low-barrier, and Equitable. CareQuest Innovation is a for-profit subsidiary of CareQuest Institute.
“It’s critical for hygienists to understand that the information they gather every day is informing a larger opportunity for patients.”
- Kelly Tanner, PhD, RDH, in a new blog post about elevating the work of dental hygienists and celebrating their national (and well-deserved) week of appreciation.
