Expanding Oral Healthcare for America’s Seniors

On September 29-30, 2016, the Santa Fe Group convened a Salon titled Expanding Oral Healthcare for America’s Seniors. Attendees reviewed evidence about the need for dental coverage for seniors and discussed what a Medicare benefits package could entail. The rationale, costs, and benefits of improved oral healthcare access for seniors made a compelling case for expanding Medicare to include dental benefits.

2016 SFG Salon Agenda & Links to Presentations
  • Welcome, Goals and Dedication
    Michael Alfano, President, Santa Fe Group
  • Greetings
    Carol Summerhays, President, American Dental Association
  • Perspective
    Lynn Mouden, Chief Dental Officer, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
  • Keynote Address
    Terry Fulmer, President, John A. Hartford Foundation
  • Senior Oral Healthcare: The Need
    • Moderators: Claude Earl Fox and Dushanka Kleinman
    • Inequities in Oral Health for America’s Seniors – Judith Jones
    • Access to Oral Care and the Impact of Retirement – Richard Manski
    • Chairside Collision: Oral and Systemic Health, Impact at the Patient Level – Elisa M. Chávez
  • Senior Oral Healthcare: The Value Proposition
    • Moderators: Stephen N. Abel and Raul Garcia
    • Oral Conditions and Systemic Health – Ira Lamster
    • Oral Health and Quality of Life – Jed Jacobsen
    • Oral Health and Medical Care Costs and Utilization – Marko Vujicic
  • Senior Oral Healthcare: The Benefit
    • Moderators: Nicholas G. Mosca, and Steven W. Kess
    • Political History of Medicare: Lessons for Benefits Development – Jonathan Oberlander
    • Report of the SFG/OHA Benefits Analysis Committee – Judith Jones
    • How Can We Optimize the Benefit Options? – Jeff Chaffin
  • Senior Oral Healthcare: The Consumer
    • Moderators: Beth Truett and Fotinos S. Panagakos
    • What Are Consumer Attitudes and Behaviors on Oral Heathcare? – Peter Mitchell
  • Group Discussions and Deliberations
    • Moderators: Claude Earl Fox and Raul Garcia
    • Meeting Summary and Next Steps - Michael Alfano
Perspectives From National Leaders

National oral health leaders and advocates speak about the current and future policy, practice and funding opportunities to expand Medicare benefits to include oral health care for America’s seniors.

Teresa A. Dolan Headshot

Teresa A. Dolan

Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer

Dentsply Sirona

R. Bruce Donoff Headshot

R. Bruce Donoff

Dean

Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Mary Foley Headshot

Mary Foley

Executive Director

Medicaid Medicare CHIP Dental Services Association

Christopher Fox Headshot

Christopher Fox

Executive Director

American Association for Dental Research

Joan Gluch Headshot

Joan Gluch

Associate Dean for Academic Policies

Penn School of Dental Medicine

Linda Niessen Headshot

Linda Niessen

Dean & Professor

NSU College Of Dental Medicine

Fotinos Panagakos Headshot

Fotinos Panagakos

Vice President of Scientific and Clinical Affairs

Geistlich Pharma North America

Gary Price Headshot

Gary Price

Executive Director

Dental Trade Alliance

Harold Slavkin Headshot

Harold Slavkin

Founding Member

The Santa Fe Group

Beth Truett Headshot

Beth Truett

Executive Director

Oral Health America

Richard Valachovic Headshot

Richard Valachovic

Executive Director

American Dental Education Association

Marko Vujicic Headshot

Marko Vujicic

Chief Economist

Health Policy Institute, American Dental Association
Reactions From Salon Attendees

Ann Battrell Headshot

Ann Battrell

CEO

American Dental Hygienists' Association

Eric Berger Headshot

Eric Berger

Principal

Liberty Partners Group

Marcia Brand Headshot

Marcia Brand

Executive Director

National Interprofessional Initiative on Oral Health

Mary Lee Conicella Headshot

Mary Lee Conicella

Chief Dental Officer

Aetna

Christopher Fox Headshot

Christopher Fox

Executive Director

American Association of Dental Research

Paul Glassman Headshot

Paul Glassman

Director Advanced General Dentistry Program

University of the Pacific

Judith Haber Headshot

Judith Haber

Ursela Springer Leadership Professor

NYU College of Nursing

Michael Helgenson Headshot

Michael Helgenson

CEO

Apple Tree Dental

Kenneth S. Kornman Headshot

Kenneth S. Kornman

Co-Founder, President, CSO & Secretary

Interleukin Genetics, Inc.

Ira Lamster Headshot

Ira Lamster

Dean Emeritus

Columbia University College of Dental Medicine

David A. Lipschutz Headshot

David A. Lipschutz

Managing Attorney

Center for Medicare Advocacy

Mark Nehring Headshot

Mark Nehring

Chair, Department of Public Health and Community Service

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

Linda Niessen Headshot

Linda Niessen

Dean & Professor

NSU College Of Dental Medicine

Gary Price Headshot

Gary Price

Executive Director

Dental Trade Alliance

Stacy Sanders Headshot

Stacy Sanders

Policy Director

Medicare Rights Center

Beth Truett Headshot

Beth Truett

Executive Director

Oral Health America

Patrick Willard Headshot

Patrick Willard

Senior Director of State and National Strategic Partnerships

Families USA

Marko Vujicic Headshot

Marko Vujicic

Chief Economist, Health Policy Institute

American Dental Association

Reports & Papers