Oral

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law on Tuesday, March 23, 2010. The law is bringing much needed reforms to the health care system, with substantial enhancements of the public health system, in general, and specifically for public oral health programs. The provisions impacting oral health are broad and could be a major step forward in public health efforts to improve the Nation’s oral health. From near universal dental insurance for children to strengthened prevention efforts, the major changes will result in an oral health care system that is more fair and just. This session will review the major provisions affecting oral health, the status of the appropriations process, and the potential impact on dental education and workforce, state oral health programs, and local oral health programs.

Session Objectives: 1. Discuss the oral health provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the challenges for ensuring appropriations for new or expanded programs. 2. Describe the potential impact of the oral health provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on dental education and workforce. 3. Describe the potential impact of the oral health provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on state oral health programs. 4. Describe the potential impact of the oral health provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on local oral health programs.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)