This week, we learn how
the Affordable Care Act is helping to create a dental clinic, discover a new
electronic health record platform for dentists and discuss how the new health
law might call for some workers to be automatically enrolled in coverage. Join
the conversation on Twitter using #FridayDentalDL.
1. The impact
of patient and payer mix on dental program sustainability: The DentaQuest
Institute’s own Dr. Mark Doherty describes the importance of patient and payer
mix on dental program sustainability. In safety net dental programs, payer mix
has a huge impact on financial sustainability, and can be a significant
challenge to manage.
2. Health Law
Calls For Some Workers To Be Automatically Enrolled in Coverage: Newly hired employees who don’t sign up
for health insurance on the job could have it done for them under an Affordable
Care Act provision that may take effect as early as next year. Under the health
law, companies with more than 200 full-time workers have to enroll new,
full-time employees in one of the company health plans unless the employee
chooses not to join. However, the controversial provision is raising questions.
3. iMedicor
Launches Proprietary iCoreDental, Cloud-Based, Customizable Electronic Health
Records Platform: iMedicor, Inc. announced the launch of a customizable,
cloud-based dental Electronic Health Record (EHR) software system that provides
dentists with powerful tools at their fingertips to make dental care delivery
more efficient and less costly.
4. Dental
visits are a good habit to start (again): While about two-thirds of Americans (65
percent) visit the dentist at least once a year, nearly half of them (47
percent) have gone three years or more without seeing the dentist at least once
during their lives. According to the Delta Dental Oral Health and Well-Being
survey, respondents reported feeling fear regarding a dental visit but despite the fear and reluctance,
many Americans say they feel refreshed after the visit.
5. Obamacare
pays for dental clinic: Health officials are putting the finishing touches on a $3.4
million dental clinic in Long Branch, NJ. The idea behind this clinic is to
help alleviate uninsured patients winding up in hospital
emergency rooms to find relief for
their toothaches. Money for the expansion comes from a grant through the
Affordable Care Act.