A Smile is Health
- Kenneth Jackson
- Mar 27
- 2 min read
Introduction:
Did you know that untreated dental issues can lead to life-threatening conditions like heart disease, stroke, and even sepsis? Yet millions of Americans lack access to essential dental care because it’s treated as separate from mainstream healthcare. It’s time to change that.
Our Mission:
We’re launching a campaign to make dental care a standard part of regular healthcare and to require hospitals and emergency rooms to have dentists and oral surgeons on staff. Just like doctors for heart attacks and surgeons for broken bones, dental professionals should be available for oral health emergencies that can’t wait.
Why This Matters:
- Oral Health is Overall Health: Gum disease has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, and even Alzheimer's. Ignoring dental care puts patients at greater risk.
- ERs Are Unprepared: Emergency rooms treat thousands of patients each year with severe dental pain and infections, yet most lack the expertise to provide proper care — often prescribing antibiotics or painkillers as a temporary fix.
- Access is Inequitable: Dental care is often out of reach for lower-income families, widening health disparities. Integrating dental care into mainstream healthcare systems will improve access for everyone.
We are calling for:
1. Legislation to include dental care in public healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
2. A requirement for hospitals and emergency rooms to have trained dental professionals available 24/7.
3. Expanded funding for dental education to ensure enough professionals are available to meet demand.
How You Can Help:
- Sign the Petition: Add your name to demand better healthcare for everyone.
- Contact Your Representatives: Urge lawmakers to support integrated dental care policies.
- Share Your Story: If you’ve faced dental care struggles, your voice can make a difference.
Together, we can create a future where no one has to suffer from preventable dental pain or risk their health due to lack of access. Because a healthy smile is more than cosmetic — it’s critical to our well-being.
Join the movement. Let’s make dental care a priority in every hospital and healthcare plan.
Please download and sign the petition
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