Dr. Suzanne Fournier, a Louisiana dentist, recently treated a 16-year-old patient with severe oral health issues that led to intubation. This alarming case reflects a larger nationwide concern, as a sizable portion of the U.S. population lacks dental insurance and faces barriers to care. With proposed Medicaid cuts, declining dental benefits, and moves to ban fluoride in water, many worry that the oral health crisis will deepen, especially among pediatric patients, risking life-threatening conditions due to untreated dental problems.
Dr. Suzanne Fournier expresses deep concern over the deteriorating state of oral health care leading to severe health risks, especially for children without adequate dental coverage.
According to the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, a staggering 27% of adults in the U.S. lack dental insurance, creating a severe access issue for necessary dental care.
Dental-care deserts have emerged as a result of Medicaid's low reimbursement rates, significantly limiting access to care for children who depend on government assistance for dental services.
With proposed cuts to Medicaid and state-level movements against fluoride in drinking water, healthcare professionals fear an exacerbation of the existing oral health crisis in America.
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