one of my hopes: dental is added to medicare

[ensho]

teeth do matter

[hamsterjill]

1. Yes, that would be a nice thing to happen!

My father is elderly and is having a lot of trouble with his teeth. We are not wealthy people and this has been a big financial hit without the expense being covered.

I, myself, work for a small business that provides health insurance, but not dental coverage. A root canal can be very expensive.

Only now, it seems, is medical science starting to understand the correlation between a healthy mouth and a healthy body, particularly a healthy heart.

[eShirl]

2. especially since people can and do die from poor oral health

[Bigmack]

5. I'm no shill for the dentists...

but there is LOTS of evidence for your statement.

"....dental disease was a larger risk factor for heart disease than being overweight, having a high cholesterol level, not exercising or smoking."

http://www.bracesinfo.com/cardiovascular.htm

[givemebackmycountry]

3. It's a MUST

especially for the young and the elderly.

In '05 I had a serious incident which required oral surgery.
I either had to have the surgery, or in about 6 months I was going to be heading into the office missing 80% of my teeth.
They had me under for 9 hours and I don't remember a lick of it.

I had dental insurance that covered about $1,500.00 a year.
My health insurance wouldn't cover it because they said it was for "cosmetic" reasons.
Thank God I had some stock options (almost worthless) and a 401K that I could take a loan from.
36 grand later I have a nice smile, and a depleted paycheck as I pay that loan back.

It MUST be covered and it MUST cover children and the elderly.

[Romulox]

4. That would be nice, but I think we need to expand care for everyone

before giving more benefits to a select group of Americans. Children and working people need dental care too.

[WI_DEM]

6. It really should have been done years ago!

[LibDemAlways]

7. My 86-year-old dad was informed by his

dentist lst week that he needs a bridge that will cost $3800. Where he is supposed to get the money from is anybody's guess. It goes without saying that dental insurance should be part of Medicare. It should be part of all health insurance plans.

[glinda]

8. Better than the 30 thou needed for full mouth restoration

which leaves many people without any thing.

[Festivito]

9. I'd think it the cheaper investment to a healthier nation.

It's what New Zealand did first, before a national health care. It works.

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. Fortunately kids under medicaid can get dental coverage. Adults only can with

dental emergencies (I think.)

And yes, it should be a part of medicare as well. (Or better still some sort of gov't funded universal healthcare.)