The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) was among several stakeholders to testify August 6 at the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Town Hall Forum on oral healthcare, the association announced.
The forum -- the first to focus specifically on dental services -- was organized to explore access to dental care for Medicaid-eligible children and improve the delivery of oral healthcare services to children enrolled in Medicaid.
The event featured presentations from CMS, the National Association of State Medicaid Directors, and the ADA. Each offered testimony on issues related to reimbursement, delivery systems, and patient and provider education. ADHA had the opportunity to offer testimony to highlight the important role dental hygienists play in delivering care to Medicaid-eligible populations.
Pam Quinones, R.D.H., the organization's district III trustee, and Washington, DC, counsel Karen Sealander testified on behalf of the ADHA.
"It is important for ADHA to participate in national events like the CMS Town Hall to make others aware of the impact that dental hygienists have on Medicaid-eligible populations," Quinones said in an ADHA statement. "As an association, ADHA is committed to working in partnership with other stakeholders to break down some of the barriers that prevent Medicaid children from receiving the dental care they need to maintain healthy mouths and bodies."
In related news, a list of Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid participating dentists has been posted on the Insure Kids Now Web site, according to an ADA News story. The information is also available via the Insure Kids Now hotline (1-877-KIDS NOW).
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