Be honest, one thing can make almost anyone go, “AWWWWW…” is the picture of a little smile beaming with a missing tooth. It’s those moments we want to document, and still enjoy decades later…truly a “Kodak Moment!” But it’s funny how something so absolutely adorable can become SERIOUSLY “not-cute” in a span of six or seven decades.

Sure, it’s easy to make “Grandma’s false teeth” jokes – after all, they HAVE been a family staple for years. Yet, as we see new links between oral health and OVERALL health daily, this has become a growing wellness risk within the senior population. With an absolutely appalling 70% of seniors age 65 and older who lack adequate Dental care due to coverage or affordability issues, ensuring access to oral healthcare is vital to protect our parents, grandparents…and eventually, OURSELVES!

So, it has come as a grievous blow when the House of Representatives recently passed the Build Back Better legislative package without an expansion of Dental benefits within the Medicare program. In a statement on this disappointing turn of events, the American Dental Association (ADA) said:

Washington — The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better legislative package Nov. 19 without an expansion of dental benefits within the Medicare program. The legislation now moves to the Senate.

In an Issues Alert email, ADA President Cesar R. Sabates, D.D.S., reiterated that the ADA’s policy calls for any proposed dental benefit legislation to be sufficiently funded and efficiently administered, and said the proposed Part B dental benefit did not meet those criteria.

“The ADA’s advocacy — including nearly 60,000 grassroots emails sent to Congress by dentists — helped ensure that the proposed Part B benefit was not included in the Build Back Better package passed by the House,” Dr. Sabates wrote.

As the Senate continues discussing this legislation, the ADA remains committed to advocating for the ADA policy that works to ensure access to oral health care for low-income seniors.

The ADA will continue to update member dentists on this issue.

“Thank you for being an advocate,” the alert concluded.

Fortunately, Dental professionals can still make their voices heard by contacting their Senators and explaining why access to affordable and LIFESAVING oral healthcare must be a priority. Because those heartwarming missing teeth in their grandchildren are a REAL pain for seniors!

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