With the upcoming requirements for mandated health care, one benefit has been largely left to fend for itself. It appears that dental care, although earnest in its attempts to keep up, has typically been pushed to the back burner.
Many cite that the issue with government and commercial insurance has been focused on primary medical and major medical care, and the dental industry has been, according to many, sent to the back of the line.
Recently, we interviewed Dean Rich, Director of Operations at Southern Oregon Dental. Rich candidly shared his passion about their business model which he believes has made their dental practice a big success.
“We realize that Oregonians are facing mandatory medical insurance, which does not include adult dental coverage. We are taking new patients and have made our services available 7 days a week at no extra charge. We accept both self-pay and private insurance.” Rich added.
“Oregon patients have always been our top priority and we will be able to continue to provide all dental health services under one-roof.” Rich explained. “This has been our focus since the practice opened over 25 years ago”, adding, “It is summarized best in our mission statement- ‘It’s all about choice’.”
According to the Washington Post, the health care law outlines ten major benefit categories that all insurance plans will need to cover by 2014. These are known, in the health care law, as the “essential health benefits,” the medical services that are critical to keeping Americans healthy.
The essential health benefits include things like maternity care and hospitalizations. It also includes “pediatric services, which includes oral and vision care.” There is nothing, however, that would require coverage of dental services for adults, but experience would show, having a relationship with a dental office you are comfortable with should be something on your “must do” list.
Medicare does not cover much in the way of dental benefits, although AARP offers private, supplementary plans for dental coverage. About 33 million Americans live in areas where there aren’t enough dentists to meet oral health care needs.
Research has linked poor oral health to increased use of emergency services and hospitals, and higher risk for diabetes and heart and respiratory diseases.
National surveys show that based on the need for dental services, Individual dental plans—along with small group dental plans in and out of the exchanges—are going to explode in demand and popularity.
Finding good dental coverage, whether part of a qualified health plan, a stand alone dental insurance product, a discount dental plan, or self-pay option should be number one on your health care priority list.
“I like the idea of having a self-pay or private insurance option and the convenience to go to my dentist on the weekends or any day of the week”, said Sharon Spencer, a new resident to Grants Pass who recently heard about the 7 day a week practice at Southern Oregon Dental.
One thing is certain, 2014 will be a year that will bring us many new challenges, as well as new opportunities. For Oregon residents, one way to reduce stress will be to begin the research now.
If you haven’t yet, you might want to secure a local dentist practice that you know is a good fit. To quote Dean Rich of Southern Oregon Dental, “It’s all about choice.”