Capitol Hill Briefing Highlights Efforts to Address Oral Health Care Access Barriers
Washington, D.C., Feb. 15, 2012 – The American Dental Association joined four other presenters—representing provider groups and government—at a Capitol Hill briefing today to illustrate ways society can break down barriers to optimal oral health for all Americans.
Dr. Roy Thompson, a member of the ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations, represented the ADA at the event, entitled “The Power of Prevention: Spending Smarter to Improve Dental Health.” The Pew Children’s Dental Campaign organized the briefing with the offices of Reps. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Elijah Cummings (D-Md.).
Dr. Thompson discussed ways to improve dental health cost effectively, particularly through prevention and public-private collaboration.
“Prevention is the bedrock of ADA programs for two reasons,” Dr. Thompson said. “One, oral disease is preventable, and two, as with any other health condition preventing oral disease is easier and less costly than treating it.”
Dr. Thompson highlighted water fluoridation along with other ADA initiatives—like Give Kids A Smile and American Indian health summits—as examples of programs that promote prevention of dental disease. He also emphasized the importance of educating policymakers on the importance of addressing prevention and access.
“When developing a comprehensive, coordinated approach to improving oral health care and prevention, education is key,” he said. “When people, whether lawmakers, the media or the general public, learn about oral health and the consequences of oral disease, their attitudes and priorities change.”
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About the American Dental Association
The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 156,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The monthly The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is the ADA's flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at www.ada.org