Key Issues
Many adults who rely on Medicaid benefits find that there is little, if any, coverage for dental care. A long-standing lack of focus on adult oral health care from federal and state governments has created a patchwork of dental coverage by state Medicaid programs.
Student Loan Reform
The ADA advocates on higher education issues to ensure that dental students and new dentists receive the best education, tuition financing, and repayment options available.
Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act
The causes of the dental health crisis are varied and complex. It is the ADA’s goal to help all Americans attain their best oral health. Action for Dental Health aims to prevent dental disease before it starts and reduce the proportion of adults and children with untreated dental disease.
DOC Access Act
Currently, patients are being adversely impacted by provisions in dental and vision plans that dictate how much a doctor may charge a plan enrollee, even though the services provided to the enrollee are not “covered” by the plan. The ADA supports the Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act, which would protect patients and bring needed equity to insurer/provider contracting.