A Study Assessing Awareness, Attitudes and Interest of Four Non-Dental Medicare Clinical Providers Related to an Alternative Intervention to Improve Oral Health Outcomes in Medical Facilities

INTRODUCTION] This study was guided by the Medicare Oral Health Enhancement Act of 2008, which would allow dental referrals to Occupational Therapy Providers. Medicare was not designed to cover formal routine dental services at its inception and to this present day, therefore basic oral healthcare services in medical facilities must be provided by a non-dental interdisciplinary clinical treatment team, preferably [OT] Occupational Therapy, [SLP] Speech Therapy, and [RRT] Respiratory Therapy and Nursing professionals that are currently receiving Medicare reimbursement through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) physician fee schedule. CMS in 2002, estimated U.S. dental services to be...