Dentistry at a Crossroads : A Look Back, a Look Forward

Dentistry at a Crossroads:

A Look Back, a Look Forward

Marko Vujicic, Ph.D.Managing Vice President

Health Policy Resources Center

© 2013 American Dental Association, All Rights Reserved

Dentistry at a Crossroads


Today


Key Forces Converging

1. Declining utilization of dental care among (younger) adults

2. Continued fiscal austerity within state budgets

3. Shift from financing procedures to financing outcomes

4. Pressure on providers to become more efficient

5. Increased integration of health care delivery and health care financing

6. Increased consumerism in health care


My Road to Dentistry…


The Dental Economy

3.9% per year -0.3% per year1.8% per year


The Dental Economy


The Dental Economy


Dentist Earnings


Dentist Earnings


Utilization of Dental Care






Dental Benefits


Cost as a Barrier to Care

? ?


What’s on the Horizon?


No Relief for Adults

21,000,000

800,000

3,200,000

5,500,000


Fiscal Constraints in States

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Survey of State Medicaid Budget Officers, 2012.


Sea Change in Care Delivery and Financing

$$ for procedures

$$ for outcomes



The Future of US Health Care

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y51eT-1-BE8&feature=related

Accountable Care Organizations

http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Multimedia/Videos/2012/Karen-Davis-Quality-and-Efficiency.aspx?omnicid=20











Increased Consumerism in Health Care






Key Forces Converging

1. Decline in utilization of dental care among (younger) adults

2. Continued fiscal austerity within state budgets

3. Shift from financing procedures to financing outcomes

4. Pressure on providers to become more efficient

5. Increased integration of health care delivery and health care financing

6. Increased consumerism in health care


What to Do?


Possible Strategic Action Areas

1. Decline in utilization of dental care among (younger) adults– Increase oral health literacy; Promote value of dental care and dental benefits;

Expand scope of practice for dentists.

2. Continued fiscal austerity within state budgets– Demonstrate that dental benefits are a ‘good buy’ in Medicaid; Help dentists become

more efficient.

3. Shift from financing procedures to financing outcomes– Lead in the development of quality and outcome measures.

4. Pressure on providers to become more efficient – Help dentists become more efficient. E.g. ADA’s CPS initiative

5. Increased integration of health care delivery and health care financing– Develop a vision for the role of the dentist in the health care team.

6. Increased consumerism in health care– Increase oral health literacy; Promote value of dental care; Make it very very

convenient to see the dentist.



Documents

Dentistry at a Crossroads : A Look Back, a Look Forward