DentaQuest Applauds Reintroduction of Bipartisan Bill to Expand Access to Affordable Dental Coverage

BOSTON – September 13, 2023 – Today, Steve Pollock, president of DentaQuest, part of Sun Life U.S., released the following statement reacting to the introduction of the Increasing Access to Dental Insurance Act:

Oral health is key to our overall health and wellness, and people with coverage seek preventive oral care more than those without. Because preventive care reduces the likelihood of needing extensive restorative or emergency care, an additional access point to get coverage will protect both the individual and the system from unnecessary costs and procedures. Unfortunately, people can only buy dental insurance through the federal exchange when they also buy medical coverage. This means, for example, that seniors enrolled in traditional Medicare cannot purchase a dental plan through the federal health insurance marketplace. Enabling people to purchase a standalone dental plan without requiring the purchase of a medical plan will increase access to dental care for many Americans who already have medical coverage through other means.

We applaud Senators Maggie Hassan and Roger Marshall for introducing the Increasing Access to Dental Insurance Act. This legislation will provide consumers with more choice, greater access, and ultimately better outcomes because people with dental coverage are more likely to see the dentist than those without.

Thank you to the bill sponsors for reinforcing the importance of oral health care to overall care – access to coverage is access to care for many Americans, and this will make it easier to #GetCovered.