‘Feel-Good’ Dental Hygiene Decision Puts Low-Income Kids at Risk for Long-Term Health Problems [1]

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WEST ALLIS , Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Legislature’s decision to lower the standard of dental care by allowing reimbursement to dental hygienists for services provided without a professional exam, diagnosis and prescription from a licensed dentist does not address the urgent oral health care needs of low-income children and adults according to the 2,900-member Wisconsin Dental Association (WDA) [3].

“The state Legislature and Doyle administration have again decided to spend precious financial resources on programs that lower the standard of oral health care for 800,000 Medicaid (MA) patients. This decision further limits access to professional dental exams, diagnosis and critical restorative care in the population at highest risk for dental disease,” says WDA President Dr. Constantine Stamatelakys.

Inappropriate dental procedures without a dentist’s exam can lead to patients needing extensive and expensive dental treatments and restorations as well as serious systemic health complications, thus further straining hospital emergency rooms warns the WDA.

The WDA’s long-standing offer to local sealant program managers to help recruit volunteer dentists who will provide free professional diagnosis for school-based efforts has all but been ignored.

Four legislators on the Joint Committee on Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) voted against this damaging rule that minimizes the role of dentists in diagnosing and delivering oral health care treatments.

“The WDA is thankful for the work and caring of JCRAR Co-Chair Rep. Daniel LeMahieu (R-Oostburg), Rep. Don Friske (R-Merrill), Rep. Debbi Towns (R-Janesville) and Sen. Tom Reynolds (R-West Allis). They understand that a dentist’s professional diagnosis prior to the delivery of dental care is fundamental to every individual’s good, long-term oral health regardless of the patient’s age or income status.”

SOURCE: Wisconsin Dental Association