The Massachusetts Health Council’s nationally recognized state report card on health status “Common Health for the Commonwealth: Massachusetts Report on Preventable Determinate of Health” was released Tuesday, November 13, 2012. The report identifies oral health as one of ten preventable health indicators in Massachusetts.
Some key issues impacting the oral health of Massachusetts residents identified in the report include access to dental benefits, MassHealth dental benefit cuts, and MA communities without water fluoridation. The report outlines several preventative policy recommendations such as restoring MassHealth dental benefits, increasing community water fluoridation, promoting school-based sealant programs, and promoting oral health as an indicator of systemic health. In the policy discussion the Better Oral Health for Massachusetts Coalition’s (BOHMAC) “Oral Health Plan for Massachusetts” was highlighted.
To see the full report go to: http://www.mahealthcouncil.org/2012_CommonHealth.pdf