Residents of Connecticut long-term care facilities and adults receiving federally-subsidized food assistance are suffering a high rate of untreated tooth decay, the state Department of Public Health said.
More than half of adults DPH surveyed at congregate meal sites said they don’t have dental insurance.
Of that number, three-quarters said they couldn’t afford it.
Medicaid provides some dental coverage, but Medicare does not, Edith G. Prague, commissioner of the state Department on Aging, said in a statement. Prague said she hopes that will change soon.
“Preventive oral health care is as important as preventive medical care,” Prague said.
The DPH report said better training for nursing home staff about daily oral hygiene care would benefit vulnerable populations.
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