AUGUSTA - On Wednesday, the Legislature passed a biennial budget. It includes funding to improve dental health access for Maine adults with low incomes, an initiative from Speaker Ryan Fecteau to shift Maine's reliance on emergency-only dental coverage to a preventative dental care model to improve health outcomes and save the state money over time. The effort had received bipartisan support from the committee earlier this session when public health experts and economists agreed that the investment would save the state money and contribute to positive health outcomes for Maine people.
Maine was one of only ten states to provide emergency-only dental treatment through Medicaid. Maine has paid up to $17 million in avoidable emergency room care annually. Previously, low-income Mainers could only access dental care through Medicaid in emergency situations and likely when facing infections or serious pain, often resulting in more dire and costly health issues that could be avoided if preventative dental care were offered.
In 2012, the MaineCare Redesign Task Force convened by then-Commissioner Mayhew concluded that MaineCare provided $17 million in emergency room care that could have been avoided if patients had received preventative dental treatment in the community. A recent study showed the economic impact of dental care expansion will be $21.6 million, with nearly 50% of the impact in rural areas. Thanks to this change in law, Maine will be eligible for federal matching funds. Expanded coverage would go into effect in 2022.
"This is an issue that impacts every single community in our state. Maine's system had forced vulnerable people to use the emergency room when their teeth reached the point of no return, which was costing Maine people their dignity and health. Ultimately, it also costs our state economically," said Speaker Ryan Fecteau-D of Biddeford. "Starting next year, over 200,000 more people will have access to dental care, which is an important part of health care. I think about all the people who've faced barriers to employment because of their oral health issues."
"Looking at the downstream benefits from this, I see the possibility of those investments that will occur in the short-term leading to significant dividends that will be achieved here in the state of Maine," said Rep. Sawin Millett-R of Waterford. "I see this as a positive step. This investment, on the human side of the equation as well as the Maine economic side, will provide benefits that are predictable and that will have a high cost-benefit ratio. I'm pleased to be a co-sponsor of this legislation."
"Oral disease does not discriminate based on age, race, sexuality, or socioeconomic strata," said Dr. Wendy Alpaugh, a dentist from Stonington. "Barriers to dental care are formidable for those without the means to be seen by a dental professional. Leveling the playing field is a win for society."
"This is a game changer for oral health equity. Oral health is essential to overall health and well-being and access to care should be available to all Mainers" said Bryan Wyatt of Maine Primary Care Association.
"In my experience and studies as a Health Care Educator, I know how important it is to have good dental care regardless of one's economic status," said Senator Marianne Moore-R of Washington County. "This will help cancer patients I work with and those in Washington County in recovery."
"I know from personal experience that when money is tight and you're struggling to afford basic expenses like rent, heating or food, going to the dentist just isn't a priority," said Rep. Supica-D of Bangor. "Dental care is health care. Including dental services under MaineCare will improve the health and quality of life outcomes for low income Mainers across the state."
"I have seen hundreds of diabetics whose management and control are worsened by chronic dental disease, dental infections so advanced that they have required ICU management for generalized sepsis and airway obstruction, and life-threatening lung infections associated with chronic dental disease," said Dr. Barbara Covey, Emergency Department physician who serves on the board of nonprofit Waterville Community Dental Center. "The passage of LD 996 provides a means to improve both the health and economy of our community. It provides a far better use of our health care dollars than the current emergency-only MaineCare benefit."
"Access to high quality, compassionate and comprehensive oral health care is critical to one's overall health. I see its importance and its systematic impacts on Mainers every day in my work at Lincoln County Dental," said Rep. Holly Stover of Boothbay. "I am proud to support this measure, as it will have a direct impact on my community and communities across the state."
The budget bill will be sent to the governor to be signed into law.
Jenna Howard (Fecteau), 214-3185,