Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - (Page 48)

life | POLITICS PRODUCT GUIDE oral health won’t be subsumed in the conversation about healthcare [but] be addressed specifically. — Beth Truett, President, Oral Health America tax deduction that employers receive when they do provide coverage,” he says. “If our goal is to improve oral health in this country, or at least do no harm, we cannot allow the elimination of a tax benefit that is working to deliver health benefits to so many people.” That may sound like he believes Obama’s plan would be better for the dental industry, but Album says he and the insurance side of the industry have concerns about that plan as well. Increasing the number of Americans with insurance too quickly could hurt access to care because there won’t be enough dentists and hygienists to provide that care. There also are concerns over how funding for the plan will impact the nation’s financial health. “We of course support expansion of healthcare benefits, but if the price tag hurts the economy, no one wins,” Album says. ad index ADVERTISER Crosstex Discus Dental Johnson & Johnson Laclede Health Products McNeil National Children’s Oral Health Foundation Patterson Eaglesoft Patterson Caesy Preventech Septodont PAGE 20 CV3 5 32, 42 CV4 49 CV2 14 7 9 advertising sales GROUP PUBLISHER Tom Delaney 773-249-4589 Fax: 773-249-4502 tdelaney@advanstar.com NORTHWEST Chrissy Byron 925-548-7128 cbyron@advanstar.com GETTING HEARD With no perfect plan on the table, Album and Truett believe the dental industry needs to make itself heard once the next administration begins to make one of these proposals a reality. Truett says making more people aware about the importance of oral health—especially for children—can bring some attention to a discussion of where dental coverage should fit in the larger healthcare debate. For Album, educating lawmakers about the difference between medical and dental care could help raise the profile of the dental industry’s concerns. Raising the industry’s voice now while healthcare reform is still a top priority for Americans and politicians might also provide some long-term benefits. The industry might not get its concerns addressed by the next president’s plan, but if it speaks up now, it might earn itself a permanent seat at future discussions on the nation’s health. “We can hope that four or eight years from now that oral health won’t be just subsumed in the conversation about general health care and will be addressed specifically by our candidates,” Truett says. mh Noah Levine is an associate editor for Modern Hygienist. NORTHEAST Steve Kessler 732-357-7501 Fax: 732-627-0214 skessler@advanstar.com DISPLAY ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Linda Barrier 800-225-4569 ext.2701 Fax: 440-891-2650 lbarrier@advanstar.com MIDWEST Angela Gibbs 773-249-4515 Fax: 815-772-7871 agibbs@advanstar.com E-MEDIA Dan Krippner 773-249-4587 Fax: 773-249-4502 dkrippner@advanstar.com SOUTHWEST Dana Chiuminatta 714-513-8606 Fax: 714-513-8845 dchiuminatta@advanstar.com 48 modernhygienist.com | October 2008 http://www.modernhygienist.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Modern Hygienist - October 2008

Modern Hygienist - October 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Letters News Modern Solutions Trends: Homecare Trends: Perio Trends: Ergo Trends: Mid Care After Chemo Professional Rewind Esthetic Expertise: Make or Break Relationship Hands-on Hygiene: Have You Seen the Light? Going the Distance Training for Life Presi-dental Politics Ad Index Moonlighting

Modern Hygienist - October 2008

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