Sanders: Dental care crisis is 'next health problem' that needs attention

A report released Wednesday by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., noted that more than 47 million people live in places where it is difficult to access dental care.

The Hill: Sen. Sanders Unveils Report On Nation's 'Dental Crisis'
Liberal firebrand Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) released a report Wednesday that concludes America faces a "dental crisis" and urgently needs to boost the number of dentists and dental assistants while expanding Medicaid's dental benefit to cover adults. According to the report: more than 47 million people live in places where it is difficult to access dental care; more than 130 million Americans do not have dental insurance; about 17 million low-income children see a dentist less than once a year; and only 45 percent of Americans age 2 and older saw a dental provider in the past 12 months (Pecquet, 2/29).

CQ HealthBeat: Sanders Targets Access To Dental Care As The Next Health Problem To Address
The health care overhaul laid out a new system for providing health care in America. But Sen. Bernard Sanders says another major health crisis is not gaining the attention it deserves: the lack of dental care for the poor and elderly. So the Vermont independent on Wednesday issued a report that said 130 million Americans have no dental insurance and costly visits to hospital emergency rooms for preventable dental conditions are on the rise (Norman, 2/29).