Benevis, a leading dental support organization (DSO) for practices focused on dental care and orthodontics, announces the release of its Dental Home Playbook to educate healthcare providers on the importance of helping patients establish a dental home for orthodontics and routine dental care. The Playbook also provides physicians with oral risk assessments and management tools, checklists, and helpful patient resources to support them in their daily practice. Together, primary care providers (PCP) and dentists can assist patients and their families by setting the foundation for dental healthcare to eliminate oral disease in children, removing barriers to care, and, ultimately, delivering equitable health for lifelong healthy habits.
Research has proven oral health’s link and influence on overall health and well-being. However, traditionally in the U.S., there has been a long-standing care gap between healthcare providers and dentists, especially true for children with Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) coverage. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicaid and CHIP Health Care Quality Measures found that the median percentage of children with a visit to a PCP ranged from 88 percent to 96 percent from ages 12 months to 19 years old in 47 U.S. states.
Despite some states including dental services in Medicaid benefits, 52 percent of all eligible children received no preventive dental service last year. Further, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that oral conditions are frequently considered separate from other chronic conditions. Still they are interrelated, and poor oral health is associated with other chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. To bridge the medical communities and improve the trajectory of dental health in America, the Dental Home Playbook is designed to help healthcare providers, dentists, and hygienists work together to set patients up for success through a home for routine dental care.
“The health of teeth, even baby teeth, impacts whole body well-being. When children and their families establish a dental home, it empowers them to learn the life-long healthy habits for proactive, preventative oral care, which also creates positive care experiences and gives children the knowledge to protect their smiles,” said Dr. Jane Whang, regional clinical director at Benevis.
For 20 years, Benevis has remained committed to breaking down the barriers to oral healthcare. By creating access to affordable, high-quality dental care for children and families in disadvantaged communities across the country, Benevis’ compassionate team prioritizes community support and patient education to make a national impact on oral health. The Dental Home Playbook is an essential next step in elevating the importance of oral health in America through collaboration with healthcare providers.
“In America, dental health has a far-reaching implication for overall health, medical costs, and quality of life. In fact, dental disease is a silent epidemic that if left untreated, can be painful, destructive, and even life-threatening,” shared Bryan Carey, CEO of Benevis. “Through healthcare provider and dentist collaboration, we can make a difference in helping to eliminate a patients’ unnecessary dental pain and suffering by focusing on whole-person care.”
To learn more about establishing a dental home for patients and families or to review oral risk assessments and PCP checklists, please read the Dental Home Playbook.
About Benevis
Benevis is a leading dental support organization (DSO) for practices focused on delivering life-changing dental care and orthodontics. Through comprehensive dental practice support services that expand access to dentistry, Benevis has a 20-year history of providing the highest quality care to approximately 5 million children and adults in underserved communities. Its support services are employed in more than 100 locally branded dental offices that have delivered treatment during 1.2 million visits. Benevis also advocates for programs and legislation that ensure all families have access to the oral healthcare they need and deserve.
For more information, visit Benevis.com.
