In the News

Dental organizations, including CareQuest Institute, are continuing to back community water fluoridation as the future of this practice comes under threat at the federal level.Read more in Becker's Dental Review.

Of the more than nine million veterans who are eligible for medical care through the VHA, approximately 1.8 million are also eligible for dental care. Among veterans eligible for dental care, a third use that benefit annually—inclusive of the community care network (CCN). The CCN is a private network of VA-affiliated providers available to eligible veterans who cannot get care in a VA facility due to long wait times or geographic distance. The PACT Act of 2022, considered to be the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history, increased dental eligibility by 330,000 veterans.

According to CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, in 2023 nearly 68.5 million adults in the US lacked dental insurance. Based on the organization's State of Oral Health Equity in America survey, these projections may further surge by the end of 2023 because of the loss of coverage from other household members and the process of Medicaid redetermination. More adults are currently uninsured for dental care which leads to a rise in the number of people needing these plans.

A Missouri dentist is working to restore smiles to veterans for free. In a new article, featuring stats from a CareQuest report, he emphasizes the importance of veteran oral health.Read the article and watch the video on KSHB-TV.

With Medicaid funding on the chopping block, we must protect access to comprehensive care. CareQuest Institute Senior Director of Public Policy, Melissa Burroughs, spoke to Noah Tong at Fierce Healthcare about how dental benefits are usually one of the first things states eliminate when Medicaid funding is cut, or state budgets are tight. Read the full article here.

The recent dismantling of the CDC Division of Oral Health has sent shockwaves through the dental community, raising concerns about the future of dental public health efforts and the prioritization of oral health at the federal level. Our Senior Director of Public Policy, Melissa Burroughs, and other industry leaders gave their reactions in Becker's Dental + DSO Review. 

While poor oral hygiene is often linked to issues like tooth loss, gum disease and bad breath, experts warn it can also have a far-reaching impact on your entire well-being — including your heart.In this article in the New York Post, experts explain the connection between oral health and heart disease, including a report from CareQuest Institute.Read the full article in the New York Post.

Two advocates for veteran care in Michigan are tackling the critical gap in veterans’ dental care, offering free clinics through grants and sustainable community programs. A 2022 report from the American Institute of Dental Public Health and CareQuest Institute highlights the disparities rural veterans face in accessing dental care.Read the full article in Flintside.

For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a trip to the dental office can be overwhelming. A new pilot program at Tufts Dental Facilities, a grantee of CareQuest Institute, is breaking barriers with home visits and telehealth, making dental care more accessible and personalized.Read the full article in Decisions in Dentistry here.

Danielle Apostolon, Program Manager, Value-Based Care at CareQuest Institute, explains the shift toward value-based care (VBC) in dentistry in this episode of The Patient Experience Blueprint Podcast.She explains how this VBC model prioritizes quality outcomes over the quantity of services, and how dental practices can adopt this approach to improve patient care and satisfaction.