Problems in oral health care financing for the elderly.
The oral health of America's aged has improved dramatically. As the number of elderly swell, their collective need and demand for comprehensive dental services will increase significantly. Payment for those services will pose problems for many, because few options exist for financing dental care among the elderly. Currently most charges are covered by individuals out-of-pocket. Although more older people than ever before have sufficient funds to include dental visits in their health services use, a large proportion of the elderly lack the personal resources necessary to have their numerous dental conditions treated. Innovation is critical. Greater public and private sector support for accessible and affordable dental services must be offered in the future to ensure that the oral health gains of the past decades are not lost because of a lack of financial mechanisms for supporting an adequate level of care.
Meskin
L H
LH
School of Dentistry, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262.
Mason
L D
LD
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005381:Financing, Organized / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014481:United States