WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An estimated 45 million Americans do not have dental insurance, according to a government report released on Wednesday, and recently passed healthcare reform offers little direct help.
Dentist Lance Knight examines a patient for photographers during a photocall to launch the new in store dental service at British supermarket Sainsbury's, in Manchester, September 15, 2008 REUTERS/Phil Noble Overall most non-elderly people who already have private health coverage also have a dental policy, but roughly 70 percent of those who have to buy their own health plan do not, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. Under the health reforms passed in March, adults must buy health insurance or pay a fine starting in 2014. The law does not require them to buy other types of coverage like dental or vision, although some comprehensive health care plans include the additional coverage. While health plans must cover at minimum services like emergency care and prescription drugs, they do not have to cover oral care for adults. Dental care for children is required. Some advocates pushed for a wider dental component in the bill, pointing to the larger impact of oral health on conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Among the 172 million people under 65 who already have private health insurance, nearly three-quarters have dental insurance too, mostly through an employer, the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics said. The survey found that among those with dental coverage, 33 percent had a comprehensive plan with dental coverage, while 26 percent had a stand-alone plan. Fourteen percent had both. Among those with employer-sponsored care, just 20 percent lacked a dental plan. The CDC's statistics unit analyzed data from its 2008 nationwide survey of 65,495 people under age 65. INCOME FACTOR Not surprisingly, the researchers found a direct sedation dentist Jersey City link between income and access to care. The higher a person's income, the more likely they were to have dental coverage. An estimated 90 million Americans get health insurance through Medicare and Medicaid, which do not cover dental care for adults. But researchers Barbara Bloom and Robin Cohen said they could only look at private sector "because of the limited or nonexistent public coverage for dental care." It is not clear how the new healthcare law will affect the dental insurance industry. Like its health insurance counterpart, the sector lobbied against any government-run health program while seeking to boost funds for dental care under Medicaid. Medicaid, which serves 45 million low-income people, pays for dental care for those under 21, but patients can have trouble finding dentists. A separate government program, the Children's Health Insurance Program, also provides limited dental care. Older Americans can buy separate dental policies from insurers. Health insurers that offer dental plans include Aetna Inc, Cigna Corp, UnitedHealth Group Inc, Humana Inc, and Assurant Inc, according to the Association for Health Insurance Plans, which represents about 80 percent of all U.S. dental insurance plans. Most Blue Cross Blue Shield Association plans, MetLife, and Principal Financial Group Inc also offer dental coverage, the industry's lobby group said. Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Maggie Fox
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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People suffering from periodontal disease that leads to gum inflammation, bone erosion and loosening of teeth, currently undergo a variety of treatments to keep the condition in check. One day, if animal experiments hold up, they may be helped by a light-activated therapy.
A dentist examines a patient in a file photo. People suffering from periodontal disease that leads to gum inflammation, bone erosion and loosening of teeth, currently undergo a variety of treatments to keep the condition in check. One day, if animal experiments hold up, they may be helped by a light-activated therapy. REUTERS/Ina Fassbender "Photodynamic" therapy, as the name implies, makes use of an agent that is activated by shining a strong light on it, so that it works at the site where it's needed. Researchers from Brazil report in the Journal of Periodontology that a form of photodynamic therapy slows the progression of experimentally induced periodontal disease in rats, at least transiently. In their experiments, Dr. Valdir Gouveia Garcia from Sao Paulo State University and colleagues divided 120 rats with induced periodontal disease into four groups of 30, and tested the effects of a compound called methylene blue on the disease. Methylene blue is a photosensitizer that can get inside germs and kill them, too some extent without light but more powerfully when activated by light. One group of rats got no treatment; another group had only methylene blue applied to the teeth; a third group got low-level laser therapy only; and the remainder, the photodynamic therapy group, were treated with a combination of methylene blue and low-intensity laser light. After 5 days, X-rays showed http://malosmileusaelizabeth.com/service/snap-on-smile/ significantly less bone loss in the photodynamic therapy group of animals compared to those that got no treatment, the team reports. After 15 days, significantly reduced bone loss was seen in the photodynamic therapy group compared with the no-treatment and laser-only groups. After 30 days, however, there were no significant differences in bone loss between any of the groups. Although the experiments were intended to see if photodynamic therapy might be useful as an add-on to other treatments, "the results suggested that photodynamic therapy transiently reduced periodontal tissue destruction," Garcia and colleagues write. "This is an exciting finding," Dr. Preston D. Miller, Jr., president of the American Academy of Periodontology, who was not involved in the research, said in a statement. "Photodynamic therapy could prove to be a preferable alternative to antibiotic therapy." SOURCE: Journal of Periodontology, March 2007. Preventive dentistry is key to long-term oral health. At Asuncion Dental Group, we emphasize the importance of visiting our dental office at least twice per year to maintain and achieve optimal oral health. One of the main reasons we encourage you to see us is so that we can detect dental problems before they turn into serious concerns. However, while a physical exam can find noticeable signs of issues, some oral diseases same day dentures Elizabeth are not visible to the naked eye. This is why we utilize dental x-rays.
Modern technology has reduced radiation levels to miniscule amounts. We utilize advanced, digital x-rays that use 90% less radiation than traditional x-rays. Digital x-rays help to magnify and enhance your teeth for better diagnosis of dental diseases or problems. We are able to use a number of tools that will allow us to take a closer look at your teeth and surrounding structures with remarkable accuracy. Once the x-ray is taken, an image of your teeth is placed into an imaging program and projected on a screen instantly for us to view. This helps to assist us in diagnosing issues that would otherwise be undetectable. Dr. Asuncion can examine small areas of decay between teeth and under existing fillings. Also, digital x-rays can help detect bone loss due to periodontal disease, dental infections and abscesses. Your results are also easily stored for future use or can be sent over to a specialist immediately if needed. We are proud to bring this modern technology to you. If you have put off dental x-rays because of the risk of radiation or you just didn't have time for them, we encourage you to come in for an appointment and have digital x-rays taken. We can help you get your oral health back on track! FORT COLLINS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New research published in The Journal of Clinical Dentistry has
found that water flossing is significantly more effective at removing plaque than string floss. The study, which compared how well two groups of individuals were able to remove plaque from their teeth, found that the Waterpik Water Flosser was 29% more effective than string floss for plaque removal, in conjunction with regular brushing.1 "This study provides further clinical evidence that water flossing is a more effective alternative to traditional dental floss, which backs up what I see in my practice every day," said Chicago-area all on 4 dental implants procedures hygienist Patricia Zampa, RDH. "For my patients who use the Water Flosser, I see better plaque removal, less gingival bleeding, and overall healthier gum tissue. This study is great news for people who don't like to floss--they don't have to feel guilty about tossing the string floss that's been collecting dust in their medicine cabinet for years. They really have a great alternative." BioSci Research Canada Ltd. in Ontario conducted the new research on water flossers, which included 70 subjects who participated in a randomized, single-use, single-blind, parallel clinical study. Participants were divided into two groups: one used a Waterpik Water Flosser plus a manual toothbrush; the other used waxed string floss plus a manual toothbrush. Scores were recorded using a standard measurement index to determine the amount of plaque that each individual was able to remove adding string floss versus the water flosser.2 According to the research team, the results of the study were dramatic. Compared to string floss, the Waterpik Water Flosser was up to: 29% more effective at removing plaque overall 29% more effective at removing plaque from the surfaces between the teeth 33% more effective at cleaning along the gumline The new research comes out as dental hygienists commemorate the 100th anniversary of their profession. Before there was a dental hygiene profession, a trip to the dentist largely consisted of filling cavities and pulling teeth, often without anesthetic, and American adults typically lost some or all of their teeth. Today, people keep most of their teeth and a visit to the dental office is typically focused on preventive care, with dental hygienists recommending new technologies for improving their patient's oral health such as the sonic toothbrush and the Waterpik Water Flosser. "This latest plaque removal research on the Waterpik Water Flosser shows conclusively that there is no need for people to struggle with the antiquated technology of string floss," said Jay McCulloch, Vice President of Marketing for Water Pik, Inc. "These results build on more than 50 other studies that show the Water Flosser is ideal for people with implants, crowns, bridges, braces and other dental work, as well as for anyone who wants a healthy and attractive smile." The full study was recently published in The Journal of Clinical Dentistry. Additional details on the study and its results can also be found at waterpik.com. About Water Pik, Inc. Water Pik is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative personal healthcare products sold under the Waterpik brand name. The Company has developed and introduced many products that are considered the first of their kind and have led to the formation of new markets, including the Water Flosser, and the pulsating shower massage. The Waterpik brand is one of the most trusted oral health brands of dental professionals throughout the world. The Company's products are sold through a variety of channels, including mass merchandisers, drug store chains and specialty retailers. Headquartered in Fort Collins, Colo., the Company operates facilities in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit the Water Pik, Inc. website at waterpik.com. Water Pik can also be found on Facebook and Twitter. 1 Goyal CR, Lyle DM, Qaqish JG, Schuller R. Evaluation of the plaque removal efficacy of a water flosser compared to string floss in adults after a single use. J Clin Dent 2013;24(2):37-42. 2 Scores were recorded for whole mouth, marginal, approximal, facial and lingual regions for each subject using the Rustogi Modification of the Navy Plaque Index. |
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