Caries reversibles: la salud bucal es un problema de salud pública que podemos resolver

According to independent research commissioned by DentaQuest, oral health is a significant issue for Americans. The report, Reversible Decay: Oral Health is a Public Health Problem We Can Solve, represents a unique 360-degree view of concerns and potential solutions for America’s oral health care challenges among patients, dentists, physicians, Medicaid dental administrators and employers.

There was widespread agreement about the problems with our failing oral health system, including systematic, financial and emotional barriers to access and care. In addition to identifying problems, we asked about potential solutions and found remarkable agreement for several promising and achievable steps forward.

Americans overwhelmingly agree that oral health is important for achieving overall health, and preventive oral care is key to getting there. Beyond a prevention-first approach, there is also broad appeal for greater medical-dental integration, offering oral health care beyond the dental chair, transitioning to a value-based payment model, and ensuring comprehensive adult dental coverage as part of Medicare and Medicaid.
 

Hallazgos más importantes: los motivos para una revolución en salud bucal

• Nearly all respondents agree oral health is important for attaining overall health, yet:
  • Three in four Americans say they've experienced barriers, such as high costs and lack of insurance coverage, to accessing dental care.
  • Más de la mitad de los estadounidenses considera que el sistema de salud bucal es intimidante, poco práctico o ineficaz. ​
• ​Half of patients rate oral health as their top personal health concern over heart, eye, skin, digestive and even mental health.
• Many people share misconceptions about what is covered by federal and state programs.
• Most patients want dental coverage as part of Medicare and Medicaid. ​

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• La mitad de los pacientes califica la salud bucal entre los primeros lugares como prioridad en términos de sus dudas de salud, por encima de la salud cardíaca, visual, de la piel, digestiva e incluso mental.   
• Hay muchas personas que no saben interpretar qué está cubierto y qué no está cubierto en los programas estatales y federales. Pero más allá de lo que entienden:  
  • La mayoría de los pacientes quieren cobertura de servicios dentales a través de Medicare y Medicaid.