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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Richard Ager. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
| Preshow #1 Return to index of stories... |
In this edition. a court challenge to the state's new parental notification abortion law. |
| Preshow #2 Return to index of stories... |
.and a special focus tonight on the dental care shortage some are calling a crisis. We'll ask why, and what can be done about it. |
| Intro Abortion lawsuit Return to index of stories... |
But first, there is a new legal challenge to the parental notification law passed by the legislature earlier this year. That law, which takes effect this New Year's Eve, requires any minor seeking an abortion to provide proof that a parent has been notified. aA lawsuit filed in Concord today is seeking to delay or halt the new law before it goes into effect. |
| Abortion lawsuit Return to index of stories... |
Track: A coalition of groups supporting abortion rights including Planned Parenthood and the Civil Liberties Union gathered outside the federal court in Concord where they filed the suit. Jennifer Frizzell/ Planned Parenthood of Northern NE - The law we challenged today dangerously interferes with doctors' ability to preserve the health and lives of their minor patients. It requires a 48-hour delay even when such a delay would cause serious and irreparable harm to a young woman's health, including infertility, seizures and kidney or liver damage. Track: That delay after notifying a parent does not include any provision for a woman's health, and that lack of a health exemption is at the heart of the lawsuit. When other states have writting laws preventing teenagers from getting abortions without telling a parent, they have included an exception for young women's health. The NH legislature could have simply copied one of those laws. It would have been an easy thing to do. But they chose not to. Instead, the legislature passed a blatantly unconstitutional law that places the health of young women in jeopardy. Track: Earlier attempts at legislating parental notification had failed, but the bill passed the House by six votes in March after Governor Benson made it clear he wanted it to succeed. Gov. Benson - The state of NH does not love any of our children. Our parents do. So let's give those parents who love their children the right to weigh in on a very important decision, and let's do it soon. Track: Abortion providers say they also encourage parental involvement, but fear the law is a clumsy instrument. Dr. Wayne Goldner/ OB-GYN - No parent wants his or her daughter's health and life jeopardized by the law. But this law does exactly that. It dangerously ignores the realities of people's lives and the unpredicability of medical emergencies. Parents are not always available and a doctor cannot always foresee the course of a patient's condition. Far from fostering good family communication, this law interferes with doctors' ability to preserve the health and lives of their teenage patients. Track: The lawsuit seeks at least a temporary injunction to prevent the law from going into force on Dec. 31st. |
| Abortion tag Return to index of stories... |
Governor Benson was not available for comment today. But he did make it clear in a recent interview that he would defend the parental notification law. |
| Intro Dentist Short Return to index of stories... |
New Hampshire is considered one of the healthiest states in the country. But not all is well here. For certain segments of the population, gaining access to health services is a major challenge. It's especially hard to access dental care. In fact, it's estimated that 25 per cent of children have tooth decay by the third grade. Last week, a report was released that outlines some of the problems we face and makes recommendations for dealing with them. We'll learn more about the report in a moment. But first, some backround from Susan Hajdu. |
| Dentist Shortage Return to index of stories... |
Reporter: BERLIN IS A TOWN OF UNCERTAINTY. MILLS CLOSE AND REOPEN. ECONOMY THE ECONOMY SWAYS WITH THE HEALTH OF THE INDUSTRIES. FINDING A DENTIST CAN BE A FORMIDABLE TASK. YOU HEAR THE HORROR SORRYS, NOT FINDING ANYBODY WHO WILL TAKE HER. HE IS ONE OF THE TWO DENTISTS IN BERLIN. HE IS BUSY EVERY DAY AND HE IS NOT TAKING MANY NEW PATIENTS. WE HAVE BEEN A CLOSED PRACTICE FOR MANY YEARS. WE'VE RECENTLY TAKEN A FEW PATIENTS, AND A FEW MEDICAID PATIENTS AS WELL, BUT WE JUST DON'T TAKE NEW PATIENTS ON AVERAGE, NO. Reporter: PAULA HAS LIVED IN THIS NORTHERN TOWN HER ENTIRE LIFE. SHE HAS AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD SON WHO IS ON MEDICAID. THE SEARCH FOR THE DENTIST WHO WOULD ACCEPT THEM AS A PATIENT BEGAN IN EARNEST FIVE YEARS AGO. WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO HOOK UP WITH A DENTIST IN VERMONT. I COULDN'T FIND A DENTIST IN MY OPEN STATE. I WAS ABLE TO GO TO VERMONT. THAT'S A PRETTY FAR DRIVE FOR US ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS. A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. GOING TO GET WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE IT SPILLS OVER TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE THEY BECOME THE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR DENTAL EMERGENCIES NOT HANDLED BY THE DENTAL OFFICE. MUCH MORE DIFFICULT IN THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE STATE THAN IT IS IN THE SOUTH. Reporter: DR. JIM SQUIRES IS PRESIDENT OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE ENDOWMENT FOR HEALTH. WHY DON'T WE HAVE MORE DENTISTS IN THE NORTH? IT'S AN AREA THAT IS DIFFICULT FOR ANY KIND OF PRGT PRACTITIONER MADE MOST ACUTE BY THE ABILITY TO EARN WHAT A DENTIST WOULD CONSIDER, YOU KNOW UNNECESSARY INCOME. IT'S THE MEAN INCOME IN THE NORTH MUCH LESS THAN IT IS IN THE SOUTH. Reporter: NOT ONLY DENTISTS ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY, SPECIALISTS AS WELL. THE CLOSEST EAR SURGEON IS TWO AND A HALF HOURS AWAY. A DAY OFF OF WORK FOR TO YOU GET THIS CARE DONE. SOMETIMES YOU CAN ONLY GO FOR A CONSULT BEFORE YOU GET THE TREATMENT. THEN IT'S TWO DAYS. IF YOUR EMPLOYER ONLY GIVES YOU TWO DAYS OF SICK TIME OR TIME OFF, YOU'RE SUNK IF YOU GET THE FLU. LOOKING AT ABSOLUTE NUMBERS, RURAL NEW HAMPSHIRE DOES HAVE A SHORTAGE OF DENTISTS AND HAS LESS DENTISTS PER POPULATION. BUT WE HAVE DENTAL SHORTAGES ACROSS THE STATE. Reporter: DR. BILL KASSLER IS THE STATE MEDICAL DIRECTOR. HE HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS THERE FIRSTHAND. I REMEMBER WHEN I CAME TO THIS STATE FIVE YEARS AGO FULLY INSURED, IT TOOK ME NINE MONTHS TO BE ABLE TO GET IN TO SEE A DENTIST FOR A ROUTINE PREVENTIVE CARE FOR A NEW PATIENT. Reporter: DR. SKIP HOMIX IS THE PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE DENTAL SOCIETY. HE SAYS THE PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH ACCESS REGARDS THAN THE NUMBER OF DENTISTS. STATE-WIDE, THE NUMBERS LOOK GOOD, 75 TO 80% OF THE POPULATION OF THE STATE IS BEING SERVED VERY WELL BY THE DENTAL PROFESSIONALS. THERE IS A SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION THAT IS NOT BEING SERVED AND DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS. THERE IS A SHORTAGE IN ABSOLUTE NUMBERS AND THERE CERTAINLY IS A SHORTAGE OF DENTISTS WHO ARE WILLING TO TAKE SPECIFICALLY MEDICAID PATIENTS OR PATIENTS WITHOUT ANY KIND OF ORAL HEALTH INSURANCE. Reporter: THAT'S A POINT MOST PEOPLE AGREE ON. THE MEDICAID SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, AND THAT GOES OVER 30 YEARS, HAS BEEN ON A DOWNHILL SLIDE. LOW INCOME FAMILIES ARE A SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION THAT HAVE NOT PARTICIPATED IN THE TREMENDOUS DECREASE IN DENTAL DISEASE OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS. Reporter: DR. HOMIX IS ONE OF SEVERAL DENTISTS PROVIDING SERVICE AT THE FAMILY DENTAL CLINIC IN PORTSMOUTH. WE ARE DESIGNED TO TAKE CARE OF LOW INCOME AND THOSE WHO ARE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING DENTAL ELSEWHERE. THIS WOULD BE CONSIDERED PART OF THE DENTAL SAFETY NET. LAST WEEK ONE OF THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANCE CAME IN HERE AND TAPPED ME ON THE SHOULDER AND ASKED ME TO COME DOWN AND LOOK AT THE DAUGHTER OF A MOTHER WHO WAS BEING SEEN IN THE PRENATAL CLINIC. AND THIS CHILD, THREE YEARS OLD, HADN'T EATEN IN TWO WEEKS. THE MOTHER SAID SHE JUST COULDN'T KEEP HER QUIET. SHE WAS STUFFING HER WITH TYLENOL AND NOTHING WOULD WORK. WELL, YOU LOOK VERY QUICKLY AT HER IN A SCREENING SENSE AND SHE HAD A VIRAL INFECTION. SHE ALL HER FRONT TEETH ROTTED OUT AND MULTIPLE ABSCESSES. OUR STUDY SHOWS CLEARLY THAT PEOPLE WITH DENTAL INSURANCE TEND TO USE IT. AND PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT INSURED ARE UNABLE TO ACCESS THE SYSTEM. Reporter: ACCORDING TO DR. SQUIRES, MEDICAID PATIENTS ARE OFTEN DENIED SERVICE. DIDN'T DENTISTS DON'T TAKE MEDICAID PATIENTS? MOST DON'T. HE PRACTICED IN NEARBY GORE HAM. ONE OF THE REASONS DOCTORS DON'T LIKE TO SEE MEDICAID PATIENTS IS THEY HAVEN'T MADE ORAL HEALTH IN THEIR OWN LIFE, SO HOW CAN YOU, AS A PROFESSIONAL, PROVIDE OPTIMUM ORAL CARE FOR SOMEONE WHO CAN'T MAINTAIN IT AT HOME OR DOESN'T WANT TO OR DOESN'T WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT. Reporter: PATIENTS DON'T SHOW UP FOR APPOINTMENTS AND LOW REIMBURSEMENT RATES ARE THE MAIN REASONS MOST DENTISTS DON'T TAKE MEDICAID. THE DENTAL SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE IS BROKEN. IT'S UNDERFUNDED. DENTAL CARE, ORAL HEALTH CARE GENERALLY IN THE STATE HAS NOT BEEN A PRIORITY. AND UNTIL IT BECOMES A PRIORITY, UNTIL WE CAN. UNTIL WE CAN EDUCATE THE POPULOUS, UNTIL WE CAN STIMULATE LEGISLATIVE CHANGE INCREASE FUNDING, IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE ABISSUE. WE NEED. WE HAVE SOLUTIONS WHERE I CAN JUST CALL A DENTIST, YOU KNOW, SAY I HAVE THIS INSURANCE AND GET IN. THAT'S THE PERFECT WORLD. Reporter: FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK, I'M SUSAN HAJDU. |
| Intro Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Joining me now to talk about the NH Oral Health report findings and recommendations, is State Medical Director, Dr. Bill Kassler; Wendy Frosh, project director of the NH Oral Health Plan and Dr. Skip Homicz, a dentist and President-Elect of the NH Dental Society. |
| Discussion Return to index of stories... |
JOINING ME NOW TO TALK ABOUT THE NEW HAMPSHIRE ORAL HEALTH REPORT FINDING AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE STATE MEDICAL DIRECTOR DR. WILLIAM KASSLER, WENDY FROST DIRECTOR OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE ORAL HEALTH PLAN AND DR. SKIP HOMIX, A DENTIST AND PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE DENTAL SOCIETY. WELCOME AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. IT STRUCK ME WHEN WE WERE WATCHING THIS PIECE IS SOMEHOW, AT LEAST SOME ELEMENTS OF THE SOCIETY TEND TO THINK OF DENTAL HEALTH AS OPTIONAL, RIGHT? IN OTHER WORDS, IT DOESN'T SEEM TO GET THE SAME SENSE OF URGENCY AS OTHER ASPECTS OF PERSONAL HEALTH. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS DR. HOMIX? WELL, HISTORICALLY THAT HAS BEEN THE CASE. BUT SINCE THE SURGEON GENERAL'S REPORT 2000, A LOT OF OTHER ATTENTION THAT HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON ORAL HEALTH CARE, WHEN YOU ASK HOSPITALS WHAT'S THE PROBLEM THEY WON'T VOLUNTEER IT BUT WHEN YOU ASK THEM, IT'S ONE OF THEIR HIGHEST PRIORITIES. AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF KIDS WHO ARE AFFECTED, PROBABLY GOT 5% OF THE KIDS WHO NEED EMERGENCY CARE RIGHT NOW WHO AREN'T GETTING IT AND THEN YOU LOOK AT HOW IT'S AFFECTING THEIR LIVES AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SCHOOL, THEY'RE NOT EATING, THEY'RE NOT PERFORMING WELL. THEY'RE NOT SOCIALIZING. AND THEY'RE NOT GROWING PROPERLY. Reporter: NOT JUST HAVING BAD TEETH OR SORT OF HAVING A LESS ATTRACTIVE DISPOSITION, IS IT? THERE ARE OTHER SERIOUS HEALTH RISKS INVOLVED? FROM A MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE, UNTREATED DENTAL DECAY IS AN INNEXT, UNTREATED INFECTION. THAT CAN LEAD TO PROBLEMS FROM ADVERSE OUTCOMES OF HEART DISEASE, STROBE, DIABETES. AND KIDS WHO HAVE UNTREATED DENTAL CAVITIES AND DECAY, THIS INFECTIOUS DISEASE ARE LIVING WITH TREMENDOUS PAIN. HOW CAN A CHILD GO TO SCHOOL AND LEARN IN SO MUCH PAIN? WE REALLY NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT. YOU OVERSAW THE PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN COMPLETED OR NOT COMPLETED BUT THE REPORT HAS BEEN ISSUED. WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE OVERALL THRUST OF DRAWING UP THIS REPORT AND TAKING AN INDEPTH LOOK AT THE STATE OF ORAL HEALTH HERE? I THINK OUR PERSPECTIVE WAS COLLABORATIVE ACTION TO BRING ORAL HEALTH TO THE TOP OF THE AGENDA WAS NECESSARY. AS YOU MENTIONED, ORAL HEALTH ISN'T PERCEIVED AS A CRITICAL PROBLEM. I THINK SOMEHOW WE'VE MANAGED TO DISENGAGE THE MOUTH FROM THE REST OF THE BODY. AND. THIS IS SORT OF A PARALLEL, TOO, MENTAL HEALTH IS OFTEN REGARDED AS A DIFFERENT CATEGORY. THAT CONTINUES IN YOUR FIELD TODAY AS WELL. RIGHT. AND SO IT WAS OUR GOAL NOT ONLY TO LOOK AT IMPROVING INCREASING THE PERCEPTION OF ORAL HEALTH AS A CRITICAL ASPECT OF OVERALL HEALTH, BUT ALSO TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE BARRIERS TO ACHIEVING GOOD ORAL HEALTH, LOOKING AT HOW FOLKS ARE TRAINED TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE ISSUES AND THE HIGH RISK POPULATION. WE THOUGHT THAT IF WE COULD BRING TOGETHER FOLKS FROM AROUND THE STATE, FROM A VARIETY OF DISCIPLINES, FROM A VARIETY OF PLACES IN STATE GOVERNMENT TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUE, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO COME UP COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS. YOU ACTUALLY WORK AT, SPECIFICALLY AT MAKING LOW COST DENTAL CARE TO THOSE WHO CAN LESS AFFORD IT. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MAJOR OBSTACLE TO PEOPLE NOT GETTING PROPER CARE? IT'S CERTAINLY MORE JUST NUMBERS. ITS CERTAINLY MORE THAN, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO FIX THIS BY JUST THROWING DEBITISTS AT IT. DO WE HAVE ENOUGH DENTISTS? IT'S A DEBATABLE SITUATION. WE'VE HAD DR. JIM SQUIRES SAY WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH DENTISTS. THE FACT IS, ACROSS THE STATE, THE NUMBERS ARE A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN THE NATIONAL NUMBERS AND AVERAGE FOR NEW ENGLAND. NOW WHETHER OR NOT WE COULD USE MORE DENTISTS IN CERTAIN AREAS, FOR INSTANCE, EERZ THE NORTH COUNTRY BERLIN AND GORE HAM ARE ABOUT THE SAME CATEGORY AS MANCHESTER AND NASHUA, HAVERHILL IS LOW, BUT IT'S REALLY MORE DENTISTS IS NOT GOING TO NECESSARILY GET MORE ACCESS. WHAT IS THE KEY? IF THERE ARE ENOUGH DENTISTS, THEN WHY AREN'T PEOPLE GETTING THE CARE? LET ME GO TO THE PLAN THAT GOT US HERE. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS ASSET TO US TO THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 40 PEOPLE GOT AROUND THE TABLE REPRESENTING 40 DIFFERENT STAKE HOLDERS IN ORAL HEALTH. THEY WORKED FOR SIX MONTHS ARGUING, DISCUSSING, DEBATING AND THEY CAME AWAY AFTER SIX MONTHS WITH THIS PLAN THAT'S IN FRONT OF US WITH ABOUT FIVE DIFFERENT PRINCIPLES. AND BASICALLY THEY HAD COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT'S COMPREHENSIVE, THAT'S COORDINATED AND NEEDS THE INPUT OF EVERYBODY AROUND THAT TABLE TO MAKE IT WORK. IT'S NOT AN EASY PROBLEM TO SOLVE AND IT'S NOT GOING TON BY JUST DENTISTS OR THROWING MORE DENTISTS AT IT OR FOR THAT MATTER, NECESSARILY THROWING MORE MONEY AT IT. IF COULD I JOIN IN. WE HAVE SOME FAIRLY OBJECTIVE STANDARDS TO MEASURE DENTAL SHORTAGE AREAS. AND WE KNOW THAT ABOUT 20% OF OUR STATE'S POPULATION LIVE IN FEDERALLY DESIGNATED DENTAL PROVIDER SHORTAGE AREAS. IF YOU TOOK A LOOK AT THE MAP, NORTH OF CONCORD IS IN A FEDERALLY DESIGNATED DENTAL SHORTAGE PROVIDER AREA. IT DOESN'T TAKE THAT. I MEAN MANCHESTER IS NOT THAT BIG, BUT. WELL, WE HAVE SOME INNER CITY AREAS, WHERE TRANSPORTATION IS PROBLEMATIC, WHERE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE CARS DON'T HAVE A GOOD BUS SYSTEM. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT ACCESS IS MULTIFACTORIAL. I PERSONALLY BELIEVE WE NEED TO ATTRACT DENTISTS TO OUR SHORTAGE AREAS. THAT'S ONE OF THE SOLUTIONS. ANOTHER SOLUTION IS TO HELP PEOPLE TO PRIORITIZE ORAL HEALTH AND DENTAL CARE IN THEIR OWN LIVES IN THE SAME WAY THEY DO, FOR EXAMPLE, CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION. A THIRD AREA MIGHT BE FOR COMMUNITY WATER FLUORIDEATION AND GOOD PREVENTION. A FOURTH AREA MIGHT BE TO HELP PHYSICIANS AND OTHER MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TO INTEGRATE THE MOUTH. WE HAVE A LOW RATE OF FLOOR IDATION-- FLUORIDEATION. WE HAVE HIGH IRON IN WELLS. WE ARE ONE OF THE LOWEST STATES IN THE COUNTRY WITH REGARDS TO HAVING OUR CITIZENS HAVING THE BENEFIT OF WATER FLUORIDEATION. I WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT. AS BILL MENTIONED, IT IS NOT JUST AN ISSUE OF PROVIDING DENTAL CARE TO PATIENTS. IT'S NOT JUST SOMETHING THAT DENTISTS CAN DO. AND THAT'S WHY, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE PLAN, IT'S NOT A PLAN ABOUT DENTAL CARE, IT'S AN ORAL HEALTH PLAN. AND THAT IMPLIES A STATE OF GENERAL WELL-BEING. WE ARE LOOKING AT ORAL HEALTH FROM PREVENTION. IF WE CAN TAKE THE SCIENTIFICALLY BASED ACTIONS LIKE FLUORIDEATION AND PROVIDING SEALANTS TO KIDS, WE CAN PREVENT A LOT OF THE DISEASES THAT CREATE THE BEND FOR RESTORATIVE CARE THAT PUTS THE BURDEN ON THE DENTAL PROFESSION. SO IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE A MULTIPRONGED APPROACH TO IMPROVE THE ORAL HEALTH OF THE POPULATION OF NOOMP. ONE OF THE MAJOR ASPECTS OF THE MOPE LAGS MOST AT RISK IS OBVIOUSLY THE MEDICARE PATIENTS. WE HEARD IN THE PIECE ONE DENTIST COMPLAINING OFTEN THEY MAKE THE WORST PATIENTS BECAUSE THEY DON'T SHOW UP FOR APPOINTMENTS OR HAVEN'T EXERCISED PROPER CARE. HOW DO YOU GET PAST THAT HURD SNL. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS. I THINK THAT THERE ARE CHARACTERIZATIONS OF THE MEDICAID POPULATION, THE INDIGENT POPULATION IN GENERAL THAT CAN BE SOMEWHAT UNFAIR. I MEAN THESE ARE FOLKS WHO HAVE A LOT OF PRESSURES IN THEIR LIVES, A LOT OF EMERGENCIES, THEY'RE FOLKS WHO HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES. AND SO WHEN YOU'VE GOT PROBLEMS ACCESSING TRANSPORTATION OR CHILD CARE, IT DOES MAKE IT DIFFICULT SOMETIMES TO MAKE DENTAL APPOINTMENTS OR OTHER KINDS OF APPOINTMENTS. WHAT WE DO KNOW, HOWEVER, THAT IF YOU CAN SPOKE US CARE COORDINATION, CASE MANAGEMENT RESOURCES ON A HIGH RISK POPULATION AND WORK WITH THOSE FOLKS TO HELP THEM OVERCOME SOME OF THE BARRIERS TO CARE, YOU CAN DO AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT TO GET FOLKS INTO CARE, GET FOLKS TO UNDERSTAND AND COMPLY WITH THE TREATMENT THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO RECEIVE. SO THERE ARE ANSWERS TO THOSE ISSUES. HAVE YOU SEEN THE DIFFICULT PATIENTS AS WE JUST SORT OF DESCRIBED, WHERE IT TAKES MAYBE SOME OR EFFORT TO YOUR PART TO EDUCATE AS WELL AS TREAT? FOR SURE. AND INDEED, WHAT'S TERMED COMTEPS IS ALSO AN ISSUE. IF THE DEMAND OF THE GREATEST POPULATION IS NOT FOR EMERGENCY CARE OF THREE YEAR OLDS, WHICH REQUIRES A CERTAIN LEVEL OF COMPETENCE, IN THE SENSE THAT IF YOU DON'T DO IT VERY OFTEN, YOU DON'T NECESSARILY EITHER WANT TO DO IT OR DO IT WELL OR DO IT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE KID, SO MOST OF THE POPULATION IS NOT REQUIRING EMERGENCY DENTAL CARE. SO WHEN YOU DO SEE THIS, SOME OF THIS POPULATION CAN BE HARDER TO TREAT AND SOME OF IT REQUIRES CERTAIN SPECIALISTS. I'D LIKE TO JUMP IN. THERE IS A DANGER IN BLAMING PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR NOT HAVING ACCESS TO CARE, AND SOMEHOW SAYING THEY'RE DIFFICULT PATIENTS AND IT'S THEIR FAULT. AS WE HEARD EARLIER, FOLKS WHO DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION, WHO MAY NOT HAVE DAY CARE FOR THEIR KIDS, HAVE REAL CHALLENGES. BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT ACCESS TO CARE IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO INSURANCE. WE KNOW THAT ABOUT A QUARTER OF ALL ADULTS IN OUR STATE DON'T SEE DENTIST EVERY YEAR AND THAT'S HIGHLY CORRELATED WITH THEIR DENTAL INSURANCE. EVEN WITH MEDICAID, THEIR RATES ARE FAIRLY LOW. SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T PAY A DENTIST TO ACCEPT A MEDICAID PATIENT. IS THAT RIGHT? WE HAVE HAD SOME REAL SIGNIFICANT RATE INCREASES OVER THE PAST AND THAT'S PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES EFFORT TO REACH OUT TO DENTISTS AND TRY TO IMPROVE THE MEDICAID PROGRAM. WE'VE HAD SOME SIGNIFICANT RATE INCREASES IN THIS PAST JULY AND THEN AGAIN IN THIS OCTOBER. ALL TOLD FOR ABOUT THE 60 MOST COMMON PROCEDURES, THERE'S ALMOST A 56 OR 70% INCREASE IN THE FEE. IS IT WORTHWHILE FOR A DENTIST TO ACCEPT MEDICAID PATIENTS? IS IT WORTHWHILE? YOU'RE STILL GOING TO. DENTISTS RUN THEIR OWN HOSPITALS SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT A DENTAL OFFICE, YOU ARE NOT LOOKING AT A MEDICAL OFFICE. SO I WOULDN'T SAY IT'S WORTHWHILE, NO. CAN WE DO IT? YES, WE CAN. DO THESE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE, ARE THEY SIGNIFICANT? YES, THEY ARE. WE'RE DEALING WITH A PROGRAM THAT'S BEEN IN COURT TWICE IN THE LAST TEN YEARS. BOTH SIMES, DECISIONS HAVE BEEN DIRECTED AT THE STATE TO CHANGE IT IN SOME WAY. IT IS NOT A GOOD TRACK RECORD OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, BENEFITS HAVE GONE UP. ADULTS ARE ONLY COVERED ON EMERGENCY BASIS. FEES HAVEN'T KEPT BASE AT ALL. A YEAR AGO IT WAS BETWEEN 30 AND 50%. SO THAT'S CHANGING. THE DANGER IN THIS DISCUSSION OVER TIME IS, WE GET TALKING ABOUT MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT AS THE PROBLEM? WE GET TALKING ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THERE ARE ENOUGH DENTISTS. THIS ISSUE IS MUCH BIGGER. IF WE COULD GET IN WITH PRIMARY PREVENTION AND EDUCATION AND HEALTH PROMOTION, WE ARE GOING TO DECREASE THE NEED FOR ALL THE TREATMENT. WE JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF MINUTES LEFT. LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW DO YOU THAT. I. I THINK THAT GETTING PEOPLE THE TALKING IT THROUGH AND COLLABORATIVELY COME ONE STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES HAS THAT HAPPENED WITH THE FORMING OF THE REPORT? THAT HAS HAPPENED. WE'VE TAKEN THE VARIOUS PRINCIPLES IDENTIFIED IN THE PLAN AND PUT TOGETHER IMPLEMENTATION WORK GROUPS THAT ARE TAKING THE PLAN AND FUTURING IT INTO ACTION. WE DON'T WANT THIS TO BE ONE MORE DOCUMENT SITTING ON THE SHELF. . THAT'S THE PLAN, IT SETS ON THE SHELF GATHERING DUST. FIRST OF ALL, IT'S NOT JUST GOVERNMENT BUT ALL STEAK HOLDERS. YOU ASKED ABOUT PREVENTION. COMMUNITY WATER FLUORIDEATION, SEALANTS, REGULAR ACCESS. PLASTIC COATINGS THAT DENTISTS APPLY TO CHILDREN'S TEETH TO HELP SEAL OUT INFECTION AND DECAY. PATIENT EDUCATION SEALANT, FLUORIDEATION AND ACCESS TO A DENTIST ON A REGULAR BASIS. LASTLY, WE REALLY HAVE TO WORK TO BUILD UP THE SAFETY NET PROVIDERS TO RECRUIT DENTISTS INTO SHORTAGE AREAS TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ACCESS. WE NEED HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS NURSE PRACTITIONERS WHO SEE THE HIGH RISK POPULATION EARLY AND IDENTIFY THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR 100% OF THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR A NARROW SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION WHICH DOES HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED. AND THESE NON-DEPARTMENTAL PROVIDERS SEE THESE CUDS AND THESE PREGNANT MOTHERS BEFORE WE DO AND INDEED THEY'RE ISOLATED IF THEY'RE EDUCATED AND COUNSELED, THIS PROBLEM IS BEST AFFECTED RIGHT THERE. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US ON THIS DISCUSSION. WE ARE OUT OF TIME RIGHT NOW. WE'LL RETURN TO IT AS WE GET 23UR9 INTO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REPORT, I'M SURE. |
| Web Pointer Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of our program. For more information and links to our guests and interviews, connect with us on-line at nhptv.org. Join our online discussion and tell us what's on your mind. You can also find streaming video of all our broadcasts. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - an interview with author Sy Montgomery. The winner of this year's Outstanding Work of Nonfiction at the New Hampshire Writer's Project 2003 Literary Awards. Montgomery is a nature writer who has traveled the world in search of little-known and unrecorded species. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
We'll see you next time. Thanks for watching. |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. In search of little-known and unrecorded species with nature author Sy Montgomery. That's tonight at 10:00 on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Open wide and call a dentist. Easier said than done. Find out why. Tonight at 10 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| key: Health / Healthcare Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 11/17/03 22:00 HOST: Richard Ager Length: 2:30 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, a court challenge to the state's new parental notification abortion law. And a special focus tonight on the dental care shortage some are calling a crisis. We'll ask why, and what can be done about it. But first, there is a new legal challenge to the parental notification law passed by the legislature earlier this year. That law, which takes effect this New Year's Eve, requires any minor seeking an abortion to provide proof that a parent has been notified. A lawsuit filed in Concord today is seeking to delay or halt the new law before it goes into effect. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jennifer Frizzell\Planned Parenthood of Northern N.E., Jennifer Dalvin\ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, Craig Benson\NH Governor, Dr. Wayne Goldner\OB-GYN |
| key: Women Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 11/17/03 22:00 HOST: Richard Ager Length: 2:30 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, a court challenge to the state's new parental notification abortion law. And a special focus tonight on the dental care shortage some are calling a crisis. We'll ask why, and what can be done about it. But first, there is a new legal challenge to the parental notification law passed by the legislature earlier this year. That law, which takes effect this New Year's Eve, requires any minor seeking an abortion to provide proof that a parent has been notified. A lawsuit filed in Concord today is seeking to delay or halt the new law before it goes into effect. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jennifer Frizzell\Planned Parenthood of Northern N.E., Jennifer Dalvin\ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, Craig Benson\NH Governor, Dr. Wayne Goldner\OB-GYN |
| key: Youth Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 11/17/03 22:00 HOST: Richard Ager Length: 2:30 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, a court challenge to the state's new parental notification abortion law. And a special focus tonight on the dental care shortage some are calling a crisis. We'll ask why, and what can be done about it. But first, there is a new legal challenge to the parental notification law passed by the legislature earlier this year. That law, which takes effect this New Year's Eve, requires any minor seeking an abortion to provide proof that a parent has been notified. A lawsuit filed in Concord today is seeking to delay or halt the new law before it goes into effect. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jennifer Frizzell\Planned Parenthood of Northern N.E., Jennifer Dalvin\ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, Craig Benson\NH Governor, Dr. Wayne Goldner\OB-GYN |
| key: Health / Healthcare Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 11/17/03 22:00 HOST: Richard Ager Length: 22:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, a court challenge to the state's new parental notification abortion law. And a special focus tonight on the dental care shortage some are calling a crisis. We'll ask why, and what can be done about it. New Hampshire is considered one of the healthiest states in the country. But not all is well here. For certain segments of the population, gaining access to health services is a major challenge. It's especially hard to access dental care. In fact, it's estimated that 25 per cent of children have tooth decay by the third grade. Last week, a report was released that outlines some of the problems we face and makes recommendations for dealing with them. We'll learn more about the report in a moment. But first, some backround from Susan Hajdu. Joining Richard instudio to talk about the NH Oral Health report findings and recommendations, is State Medical Director, Dr. Bill Kassler; Wendy Frosh, project director of the NH Oral Health Plan and Dr. Skip Homicz, a dentist and President-Elect of the NH Dental Society. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Susan Hajdu NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Eugene Kruysman\Dentist, Paula Poirier\Mother of Patient, Dr. Jim Squires\President NH Endowment for Health, Dr. Paul Shoenbeck\Dentist, Dr. Bill Kassler\State Medical Director, Dr. Skip Homicz\Pres- Elect NH Dental Society, Dr. Bill Kassler\NH State Medical Director, Wendy Frosh\NH Oral Health Plan |
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NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 11/17/03 22:00 HOST: Richard Ager Length: 22:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, a court challenge to the state's new parental notification abortion law. And a special focus tonight on the dental care shortage some are calling a crisis. We'll ask why, and what can be done about it. New Hampshire is considered one of the healthiest states in the country. But not all is well here. For certain segments of the population, gaining access to health services is a major challenge. It's especially hard to access dental care. In fact, it's estimated that 25 per cent of children have tooth decay by the third grade. Last week, a report was released that outlines some of the problems we face and makes recommendations for dealing with them. We'll learn more about the report in a moment. But first, some backround from Susan Hajdu. Joining Richard instudio to talk about the NH Oral Health report findings and recommendations, is State Medical Director, Dr. Bill Kassler; Wendy Frosh, project director of the NH Oral Health Plan and Dr. Skip Homicz, a dentist and President-Elect of the NH Dental Society. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Susan Hajdu NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Eugene Kruysman\Dentist, Paula Poirier\Mother of Patient, Dr. Jim Squires\President NH Endowment for Health, Dr. Paul Shoenbeck\Dentist, Dr. Bill Kassler\State Medical Director, Dr. Skip Homicz\Pres- Elect NH Dental Society, Dr. Bill Kassler\NH State Medical Director, Wendy Frosh\NH Oral Health Plan |
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. . Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |