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As previously discussed, teledentistry is an innovative strategy to increase access to dental care services. Currently, 49 states include Medicaid reimbursement for telemedicine programs (Center for Connected Health Policy, 2018). However, not all states include teledentistry as part of telemedicine programs. Nationally, dental coverage for pregnant women varies per state and therefore telehealth coverage isContinue reading “Week Thirteen: 4/13-4/19 Healthcare Financing Strategies for Teledentistry”

Oral healthcare expenditure is no exemption to rising health care costs in the United States. The economic costs for dental services has grown exponentially over the years. According to the American Dental Association Health Policy institute (2017) report, dental care expenses rose 3.3 percent from 2015; $124,373 is the current national average spent annually inContinue reading “Week Eleven 3/30-4/5:Technology Innovations in Oral Healthcare”

Pregnant women are considered a part of a vulnerable population that faces many health disparities, especially those living in low income areas. Access to dental care remains the largest barrier to oral health screening in pregnancy. This includes access to dental health care providers. Interventions aimed at increasing provider access should be an important consideration.Continue reading “Week Nine 3/16-3/22: Private Sector Innovations and Policies”

Public sector programs have a meaningful impact in developing health policies. Public sectors are individuals or organizations at the community health level that focus on health promotion, prevention, communicable disease control, sanitation, air, food, and water safety, and the analysis of health data and statistics (Longest, 2016). To better understand the influence of public sectorContinue reading “Week Seven 2/24-3/1: Influence of Public Sectors and Oral Healthcare in Pregnancy”

The roles and responsibilities of legislation are important to consider in policy implementation. Public policies derive from the ideas of concerned individuals, organizations, or members of the House of Representatives and Senate. Members of congress are then responsible in prioritizing policy agendas and solutions. Once a legislative proposal is drafted, the bill may be introducedContinue reading “Week Five 2/10-2/16: Historical and Contemporary Roles of Institutions and Actors in Health Policy”

Healthcare policy is a result of critical analysis, decision making, and planning that influences societal actions and behaviors in order to reach ideal health goals. These policies may be implemented at the federal, state, or local levels and impact individuals or organizations in various ways (Longest, 2019). Governments are designed to serve the best interestContinue reading “Week Three 1/27-2/2: Ethical Impact in Healthcare Policy and Decision Making”

Pregnancy is a unique health experience requiring an emphasis on preventative care to ensure healthy outcomes for mother and baby. Prenatal care visits are an opportunity to enhance patient education as well as evaluating for pregnancy development. However, oral health care during the antenatal period is an important health promotion aspect that is often neglected.Continue reading “Week Two 1/20-1/26: Oral Heath Care Screening in Pregnancy”