--to develop a comprehensive long-term plan with secure and stable funding to address oral health issues.
We present two economic arguments that support a call for federal investment in oral health to create a cost-effective system with a prevention emphasis.
First, there are a group of individuals who do not have access to oral health professionals, and the burden of illness negatively impacts the economy. An estimated total of 40.36 million hours are lost from normal activities, school, or work each year because of problems with teeth.
Dental decay can be acute. It can involve chronic pain and interference with eating, sleeping, and general health. In addition, there is a connection between oral diseases and other diseases such as diabetes, lung disease, and heart disease. Access to oral disease prevention will lead to better productivity and a stronger economy.
Second, for the group of individuals who do have access to oral health care, it is costly relative to other conditions covered by medicare. For example, oral health care parallels prescription drugs as the greatest component of total private health spending.