AMERICA could be in for a surge in demand for dental services.
Could it happen in the Philippines?
We don’t have data for this, but in the United States, a survey conducted by the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health has found that 6 million adult Americans have lost oral health care because of the pandemic.
The survey, which covered more than 5,000 Americans, indicate a significant spike in the need to treat oral disease.
The survey showed a potential surge in upcoming health needs, according to CareQuest Institute in the first of a series of reports that provide in-depth analysis of the national survey.
More than a third or 35 percent of adults surveyed said they have at least one chronic health condition. Nearly seven in 10 or 68 percent of them have unaddressed oral health symptoms.
More than half or 58 percent of the group had not sought care for their oral health issues.
The survey found that about six million American adults lost dental insurance as a result of losing their jobs due to the pandemic.
Six in 10 said their teeth and gums have been affected.
As a result, about 28 million American adults postponed getting dental care because of the cost of care, lack of insurance or concerns about risk of exposure to the virus.
The survey “should serve as notice to the health care provider community that as the pandemic recedes, the health system could face a tsunami of patients with severe health issues that have gone untreated over the last year,” said Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, President and CEO of CareQuest Institute.
“This will impact all of us because of the potential this surge has to further strain our health care system,” she said, adding that “poor oral health has a direct tie to poor overall health.”
According to CareQuest Institute, research shows that adults who lack insurance for preventive or restorative dental care often delay dental attention until pain is so unbearable. They then go to hospital emergency departments that are not equipped to provide complete attention to oral health issues.
Going to the emergency department costs, about $2.7 billion in 2017, according to CareQuest Institute.
“Given the link between oral health and a variety of chronic health conditions, the anticipated rise in oral diseases has serious implications for the broader health care system and the overall health of the population,” said CareQuest Institute in a press statement.
“This increased need for care will consist of a disproportionate share of individuals from historically marginalized communities seeking care from places like emergency departments that are ill equipped to address their oral health needs,” said Dr. Minter-Jordan.
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health describes itself as a nonprofit that works in grantmaking, research, health improvement programs, policy and advocacy and education.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the UE College of Dentistry, former Dean of the College of Dentistry, National University, past president and honorary fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy, and honorary fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists and Honorary Life Member of Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515./PN
