Just in case you haven't heard, everybody wants to reduce health care costs! And money may be a motivator!
Many of us are aware that medical insurance companies have been rolling out wellness and behavior modification programs for their enrollees that prompt good health behaviors — smoking cessation, decreasing substance abuse, taking prescribed medication, exercising, nutritional counseling, making appointments for health care ... and now even visiting the dentist/dental hygienist.
On a dental community web group, ACEsthetics, there recently was a subject thread about the wave of the future: rebates to enrollees who engage in healthier "oral health behaviors."
It appears that a developing trend is asking a dental provider to sign a form to prove that the enrolled person maintains regular dental visits. Employees may actually be able to get money back from their medical insurance plans for maintaining their oral health as part of their overall wellness plan.
Click here to read a news story about health-care reform and the U.S. Senate coming on board with supporting healthy behaviors. Though the bill may not delineate out specifics such as daily brushing, flossing, oral-systemic link and/or periodontal medicine, it's encouraging since dental hygienists have been on the forefront of health-promoting behaviors. As dental hygienists, we provide direct care, provide advice, give information, and inspire. Can you say, "A healthy mouth, healthy body, and cha-ching"? Some of our patients may soon!
