Official positions about IOM report

Various groups with a stake in dentistry responded to an Institute of Medicine report in mid-July 2011 regarding access to dental care in the United States. The report cited "millions of Americans" who do not receive adequate oral health care due to "persistent and systemic" barriers.

To view the original information regarding the IOM report, click here. A shortcut to an IOM brief about access to oral health care can be accessed by clicking here.

Various dental health groups did respond to the IOM report.

The American Dental Hygienists' Association, for example, said through its current president, Pam Quinones, RDH, “On behalf of ADHA, I salute the IOM committee for its efforts in generating this report. The recommendations provide a flexible, comprehensive system of evidence-based solutions that will go a long way in addressing the access crisis.” To view the full ADHA response, click here.

In addition, Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, a former ADHA president and editor of RDH eVillage Focus, wrote on July 15, "Access to oral health care across the life cycle is critical to overall health, and it will take flexibility and ingenuity among multiple stakeholders—including government leaders, oral health professionals, and others—to make this access available." To view her entire article, click here.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, which has supported improved access to care for vulnerable children and families, said the IOM report "correctly identifies the critical need to better integrate oral health into overall health. There’s a critical link between the mouth and the rest of the body that is overlooked. Poor oral health can lead to a lifetime of other health issues including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes." To view the related article, click here.

The American Academy of General Dentistry was a little more neutral with its response. While the AGD "embraced to two core principles" in the IOM report, the association did not "support the suggestion that remote supervision of an allied dental professional will provide the public with access to high-quality care." To view the related article, click here.