Policy to Improve Dental Hygiene

 Policy Recommendations to Improve Dental Hygiene

How Can We Make this Possible?

Nothing can be truly effective without proper policies in place, which is why we must implement clear, actionable laws to ensure homeless individuals can access the dental care they desperately need. Without structured policies, confusion and bureaucratic roadblocks prevent real progress, leaving vulnerable populations to suffer from preventable dental diseases. Establishing strong regulations not only eliminates ambiguity but also provides a clear framework for delivering essential oral healthcare, affirming that everyone deserves dignity, health, and a chance at a better future.

Housing Policy

Most homeless shelters lack toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss, leaving residents without daily oral hygiene essentials. A policy recommendation to resolve this problem would be requiring homeless shelters to provide basic oral hygiene supplies as part of intake services. By securing state funding or forging partnerships with corporate donors like Colgate, Crest, and Oral-B, we can ensure that oral hygiene products are consistently available without burdening shelter budgets. This simple yet impactful solution would not only improve dental health but also restore dignity and self-confidence to those in need. Access to oral care should never be a privilege—it’s a fundamental human right.

Expand Medicaid

Most homeless individuals rely on Medicaid, but dental coverage varies by state and is often limited to emergency extractions instead of preventive care. Medicare also lacks comprehensive dental benefits for older homeless adults. To break this cycle of neglect, we must expand Medicaid dental benefits nationwide to include preventive, restorative, and emergency care. This would allow homeless individuals to receive the treatment they need before minor dental issues turn into life-threatening infections. Additionally, increasing federal funding for community health centers would provide free or low-cost dental services to uninsured, homeless individuals who have no other options.

Conclusion

Policymakers must recognize dental care as an essential part of public health. Integrating oral health into housing policies and healthcare systems such as the Medicaid programs, would ensure that homeless individuals receive the care they need to prevent severe dental diseases, improve overall health, and restore their health and wellbeing.

Resources-

Donate to the National Health Care for Homelessness: https://www.nnoha.org/items-2/oral-health-for-patients-experiencing-homelessness-factsheet

To find free or low-cost health services: https://www.hrsa.gov/

Sign up to advocate for Basic Health Care Services for different Organizations: 

https://www.hcadvocacy.org/become-an-advocate/