The American Dental Association wrote a policy letter to President Donald Trump restating the importance of oral health in overall public health, according to a Jan. 27 news release from the ADA.
Here are 10 things to know:
1. The letter outlined potential policies and steps for the federal government to take to integrate oral health into healthcare priorities.
2. The main pitches from the ADA include improving access to dental care, integrating oral health into larger healthcare systems and promoting evidence-based approaches to changes in public health policies.
3. Regarding CMS, the organization pitched streamlining regulatory compliance for providers, pushing for a chief dental officer within CMS and including adult dental coverage as an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act.
4. The ADA reiterated its support for elevating the rank of military chief dental officers to a two-star equivalent in order to strengthen dental leadership within military healthcare.
5. The letter pushed for the Department of Defense to restore prorated retirement benefits for dentists, physicians and chaplains who joined the military after age 42.
6. The ADA supported the funding of Veterans Affairs and restoring the authority of the position of assistant under secretary for health for dentistry.
7. The association hopes to collaborate with the Department of Education to expand income-based repayment options for federal student loans and make reforms to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
8. The ADA voiced its opposition against a broad interpretation of "preemption" to the Department of Labor, claiming that a broad view could limit state regulation of dental insurance.
9. The organization restated its commitment to promoting fair business practices and protecting consumers in dentistry.
10. The ADA introduced the idea of working with the Department of Treasury and IRS to expand eligibility for flexible spending accounts to cover at-home dental products, including toothpaste, toothbrushes and dental floss.