On February 15, the ADA sent a letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). It urges the organization to focus on a few important concerns.
The following are just a few of the priorities that the ADA urged the HRSA to address.
Workforce Shortages
The dental industry is facing workforce shortages. The ADA encouraged the HRSA to use Title VII oral health training grants to overcome this challenge.
The ADA also suggests using the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program. The program can help increase the workforce in underserved communities.
Dental Scholarships and Loan Repayment
The ADA encourages funding for the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program. They specifically encouraged funding for the National Students to Service Loan Repayment Program. This could help reduce the debt dentists accumulate. That, in turn, could improve their mental health and encourage more people to become dentists.
They also suggest loan repayment for dentists who work with addiction specialists.
Relief Funds
The ADA wants the reconsideration applications for the Provider Relief Fund expedited. This would help practices affected by the pandemic.
Improving Public Dental Education (and Dental Education of Primary Care Doctors)
The ADA hopes to meet the HHS Healthy People target of people using the oral health care system. They suggest improving education for both the public and medical providers.
They also hope to prioritize oral health and make it part of primary care.
Addressing Inequalities
The ADA wants to address the oral health disparities in the country.
The ADA wants Medicaid auditors to get more training to ensure fair, efficient care access.
Conclusion
These goals of the ADA are not something that an individual dentist, like Dr. Sharma, can do alone. Instead, they need the efforts of a group like the ADA and HRSA. The result will be better dental treatment for patients across the country. Contact our dental services in River West Chicago to learn more.
Sources:
https://www.ada.org/publications/ada-news/2022/february/ada-urges-hrsa-to-prioritize-dental-workforce-shortages-oral-health-disparities
https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/advocacy/220215_ada_lettertohrsadministrator_nosigs.pdf