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Please read the important article below from the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) regarding the upcoming Massachusetts ballot initiative Question 2.

AGD and Massachusetts AGD Support Question 2 Proposal

• by AGD Staff
• Oct 10, 2022

An important initiative is underway in Massachusetts – Question 2 — that would require  dental insurance companies to spend at least 83% of premium dollars collected on dental services or refund the difference to patients.

Massachusetts law establishes an 88% medical loss ratio (MLR) for medical insurance plans, but there is currently no MLR for dental insurance plans. An MLR is the portion of premium revenue that a healthcare insurance company spends on claims, patient care and healthcare quality for its customers. One dental insurer’s IRS 990 form documents it spent less than 60% of premium revenue on patient care and kept the remaining $383 million for administrative costs, executive salaries and profits.

“Dental insurance companies must be held accountable, and we have an opportunity to defend our profession and ensure that our patients’ premiums are used to provide them with the care they deserve,” said Gerry Feldman, DDS. “All eyes are on Massachusetts to see what happens here, and, if this initiative is successful, I believe it will have huge implications on the insurance industry and how MLRs are structured elsewhere. Everyone in the oral health community, especially general dentists, must spread the word to their patients, friends, families and communities to let them know that this ballot initiative is about increasing care and the responsibility of insurance companies to use premium dollars for patient care.”

The Massachusetts AGD endorses this dental insurance reform. AGD’s Board approved a contribution of $50,000 from its AGD Advocacy Fund to support a statewide ballot initiative in Massachusetts.

“This issue is about accountability,” said Gerald J. Botko, DMD, MAGD, AGD president. “We know that the insurance companies are threatened by this initiative, and they will do whatever it takes to protect the status quo, including spending tens of millions of dollars. That is why our Board felt it was imperative that we support this ballot initiative. We are pleased to join organizations like the Massachusetts AGD, American Dental Association, Massachusetts Dental Society, and other state and national dental groups to ensure that patient care dollars are protected.”

Through a ballot initiative, a dental insurance MLR will appear as Question 2 on the statewide ballot in the Nov. 8 election. The referendum will ensure MLRs apply to dental plans in the same way they currently apply to medical plans. This ballot initiative would make dental providers more transparent and accountable to the patients they serve. If passed, this consumer protection law is a value-guarantee that requires dental insurers to pay at least 83% of premium revenue toward patient care or refund patients the difference in premium dollars not spent.

Everyday, we squeeze toothpaste onto our toothbrush.  Have you ever wondered what is in the toothpaste that makes it clean our teeth?  With so many varieties and flavors of toothpaste they do share common ingredients.

1. Fluoride:  Fluoride “remineralizes” tooth enamel by bonding to areas of decay and attracting other minerals, like calcium, to the damage.  Fluoride stimulates the production of fluorapatite, a type of tooth enamel that is highly resistant to acids and bacteria.  Fluoride cannot reverse cavities that have already been established but it can slow the rate at which they develop.  Mary Rose recommends you brush with a fluoride toothpaste and floss twice daily for cavity prevention.

2. Detergents: Detergents makes our toothpaste foamy when you brush. The most common detergent is sodium lauryl sulfate.

3. Abrasives: Abrasives like calcium carbonate, dehydrated silica gels and hydrated aluminum oxides scrub and polish the surface of the teeth.

4. Humectants: Humectants keeps your toothpaste from drying out and becoming crumbly. A common humectant, sorbitol, traps water in the toothpaste to get a nice, smooth paste when you squeeze the tube.

5. Flavors: Our toothpaste needs fluoride, detergents, abrasives, and humectants but without flavoring our toothpaste would not taste pleasant.  Toothpaste flavors like saccharin and sorbitol is added to make the toothpaste taste sweet.  The good news is that the toothpaste does not contain sugar, so it won’t cause tooth decay.

Questions about which toothpaste to use?  Dr. Mary Rose, Melissa and Lucie would be happy to answer any questions you have and make recommendations.  Call today and schedule your hygiene appointment.

Are You Ready for Back-To-School?

Getting ready for the new school year can be stressful. Dr. Mary Rose would like to help you arm your child with everything they will need to have a great school year.

1. Start Going to Bed Early

A good night sleep is great for your overall health, including your dental health. Lack of sleep can cause daytime fatigue, loss of concentration and excess snacking as a stimulus.

2. Re-establish Your Dental Routine

During the summer, our busy schedule might cause us to miss brushing sometimes.  Getting back on schedule will encourage your child to keep up with their preventative care.   Dr. Mary Rose recommends brushing 2 times a day and flossing at least once a day.

3. Drink Lots of Water

Drinking water will keep you hydrated as well as help remove any bacteria and plaque.  Dr. Mary Rose recommends avoiding sugary drinks to lower the risk of  cavities and tooth decay.

4. Provide Healthy Lunches and Snacks

Lunchtime at school provides your child the fuel they need to keep them going the rest of the school day. Dr. Mary Rose suggests swapping sugary foods and drinks for snacks that are good for your teeth. Mango and kiwi taste sweet but have valuable vitamins.   Cucumbers, carrots, and celery are great snack foods.

5. Schedule your Child’s Hygiene Appointment

It is important to have regular hygiene appointments. Dr. Mary Rose and the entire staff are ready to make your child’s school year cavity free with a fresh, clean smile!

We all enjoy doing recreational activities with our families and friends.   Activities like swimming, boating, biking, hiking, swimming and even a playground can lead to sudden dental emergencies.  Teeth may be knocked out, chipped or cracked after a mouth injury.  Dr. Mary Rose wants everyone to be prepared for a dental emergency.

1. Post Dr. Mary Rose’s office information prominently where you can find it easily and add our office information to your cell phone contacts.
2. Prepare a dental emergency kit for your family.

• Two zippered sandwich bags (to fill with ice)
• Clean washcloth or handkerchief (to place between your face and the ice bag)
• Sterile gauze pads (to use if the tooth injury is bleeding)
• Sterile tweezers (to remove debris from the mouth or pick up the tooth)
• Plastic container (to transport the tooth)

3. Contact Dr. Mary Rose, however, if you are out of town you may go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some common dental emergencies and how to deal with them.  Contact Dr. Mary Rose for further instructions, however, if you are out of town you may go to the nearest emergency room.

WHAT DO I DO IF I KNOCK OUT MY TOOTH?

For a knocked-out tooth, keep it moist at all times.  Use tweezers to pick up the tooth (without touching the root if possible) and place in a plastic container.  The container will need milk or a saltwater solution.

WHAT DO I DO IF I CRACK MY TOOTH?

For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.  Call Dr. Mary Rose to have the area evaluated.

WHAT DO I DO IF I BITE MY TONGUE OR LIP?

If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply the bag of ice and washcloth.  If there is excessive bleeding or the bleeding won’t stop contact Dr. Mary Rose.

WHAT DO I DO IF I THINK MY JAW IS BROKEN?

If you think your jaw is broken apply a bag of ice and washcloth to control the swelling.  Go to your dentist or emergency room immediately.

HOW CAN I AVOID A DENTAL EMERGENCY?

Dr. Mary Rose informs her patients there are precautions you can take to avoid accident and injury to the teeth.

1. Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy which can crack a tooth.
2. Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or recreational activities.
3. Use scissors, NEVER your teeth, to cut things.