MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – The Alabama Dental Association has launched a new campaign aimed at reforming dental insurance coverage in the state, with a focus on improving access to care and transparency for patients.
Alabama continues to face significant oral health challenges. The state ranks among the lowest in the nation for dental visits, with only 58% of adults receiving annual dental care. Additionally, over 15% of children suffer from tooth decay.
“These statistics paint a concerning picture,” said Michele Huebner, executive director of the Alabama Dental Association.
“Families across Alabama are struggling to access the care they need.”
The association’s campaign, titled More for Your Smile, aims to address these issues through proposed dental insurance reforms. The initiative advocates for greater transparency, accountability, and fairness in dental coverage, ensuring that patients receive the care they deserve.
A key element of the campaign is the push for Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) legislation, which is being pursued by more than a dozen states. Under MLR guidelines, 85% of dental insurance premiums would go toward patient care, with the remaining 15% allocated to administrative costs. The campaign also seeks to increase maximum roll-over benefits for patients.
“Currently, as much as 40% of premiums go toward administrative costs, salaries, and corporate profits,” said Dr. Leigh Kent, chair of the More for Your Smile campaign. “Imagine an older patient in need of a crown, but their insurance won’t cover the procedure due to insufficient funds. With MLR, more premium dollars would be allocated to patient care, reducing these financial barriers.”
In addition to improving patient care, campaign supporters believe the reforms could help attract and retain more dentists in Alabama. Many dental school graduates leave the state due to low reimbursement rates.
“A new graduate could move just two hours away and earn double the salary because of higher reimbursement rates,” said Hannah Dailey, a student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry. “It’s not a matter of whether we want to stay in Alabama; it’s whether we can afford to.”
The More for Your Smile campaign will engage both patients and dental professionals through outreach at dental offices and online, encouraging citizens to contact their lawmakers in support of the proposed legislation.
With the goal of improving both access to care and the financial sustainability of dental practices, the Alabama Dental Association is hopeful that the campaign will spark the necessary changes to ensure better oral health outcomes for residents across the state.
