Dentistry is a specialized area of medicine that requires its own doctors. It is a particular area of healthcare that most doctors don't have time for. Despite the fact that older adults are at greater risk for dental problems, such as gum disease and tooth loss, most dental services aren't covered by Medicare. Harvard dental students have always spent more than a year of their education attending the same classes as their medical school peers, learning about both the chest cavity and the oral cavity.
In collaboration with Northeastern University's Bouvé School of Nursing, nurse practitioners and nursing students work with dental students and faculty members to manage chronic diseases and provide oral care. At Payer+Provider Syndicate, a management advisory and operational consulting firm focused on the managed care and healthcare delivery industries, we understand why dentistry is an essential part of medicine. Doctors who become dentists must be trained in that specific area of medicine. The government health insurance program for adults 65 and older, as well as people of all ages with disabilities, currently covers cancer screenings, mental health services and appointments with specialists, from allergists to urologists. However, it does not cover visits to the dentist.
In order to ensure that everyone has access to quality oral care, it is important to recognize dentistry as an integral part of medicine. This means that dental services should be included in government health insurance programs. It also means that medical schools should include more courses on dentistry in their curriculums. By doing so, medical students will be better equipped to recognize and treat oral health issues. At Payer+Provider Syndicate, we believe that dentistry is an essential part of medicine.
We are committed to helping healthcare providers understand the importance of providing quality oral care to their patients. We strive to ensure that everyone has access to the dental services they need.
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