With all the Obamacare talk concerning health insurance, why never any mention of dental?

[davidn3600]

With all the talk about Obamacare and medical insurance, something that tends to get lost in the discussion is dental.

Teeth are not just cosmetic and beauty and chewing food. Various studies link dental health problems to various medical conditions. For example, gum disease is caused by bacteria in plaque below the gum line that then leads to inflammation of the gums and potential of tooth loss if not stopped. But few people realize that this same bacteria can eventually work its way into the bloodstream and cause problems with other organs in the body...especially the heart.

I read one study from the CDC that said 50% of Americans over age 30 have periodontal disease. And 80% of Americans over 30 have either periodontal disease or some form of gingivitis (a precursor to periodontal disease).

It's just amazing how dental health is so easily put aside.

[Hoyt]

1. Don't disagree. But except for Medicaid for kids, this country has never had good dental coverage.

While you can buy dental insurance, they are going to charge you what they pretty much know you are going to use plus a markup. About all you get is some reduced fees, if that. I just don't think we'll see meaningful dental insurance in the foreseeable future with the politicians we can expect. They are still battling over medical care. They won't take up dental.

Even Canada does not cover dental, except in really serious cases.

[DebJ]

2. Your not supposed to need glasses either. n/t

[babylonsister]

3. I signed up for dental via Obamacare; separate policy but available. nt

[YOHABLO]

4. But dental insurance is actually just a very small discount on procedures.

Bad teeth and dental health have serious consequences .. and yet we allow dentist to get away with murder on these exorbitant fees.

[Jesus Malverde]

5. This is part and parcel of the specialist approach to medicine.

Doctors look at symptoms in isolation and rarely consider the whole person. Doing that would force doctors to spend more time with patients and involve lifestyle changes not jus pill / procedure health care.

Two major areas that are routinely ignored are sleep and stress.