White Paper on Dental Access, Policy Against Tongue Splitting

Newswise — The American Dental Association's (ADA) governing body challenged the nation to improve access to oral health care for underserved populations, calling the extent and severity of untreated dental disease, especially among underserved children "unacceptable."

The umbrella resolution, passed by the ADA's House of Delegates during its 145th Annual Session in Orlando reads, in part, "The American Dental Association and its members will continue working with policymakers to establish programs and services that improve access to oral health care, while maintaining a single standard of oral care."

The ADA's governing body also passed a separate resolution calling for improved delivery of high-quality dental care to Alaskan natives. The resolution offers a series of recommendations to significantly increase the number of dentists and dental professionals available to provide services in rural villages.

ADA Releases Access-to-Care White Paper

In addition, the dental association released its white paper, State and Community Models for Improving Access to Dental Care for the Underserved, the latest in a series of ADA reports and studies aimed at helping states and communities create market-based solutions to ease unmet needs for dental care among large groups of Americans.

"The poor - including low-income elderly - the disabled and residents of rural and inner city areas, where attracting a dentist is difficult, are particularly hard hit," the report states.

ADA Opposes Tongue Splitting

The ADA's House of Delegates updated a 1998 policy statement to include tongue splitting, a procedure in which a person's tongue is cut in two to give a reptilian appearance. The policy statement now reads, "Because of its potential for numerous negative [outcomes], the American Dental Association opposes the practice of intraoral/perioral piercing and tongue splitting."

According to the ADA, although reports describing the morbidity and mortality associated with tongue splitting are currently not available in the literature, the risk of complications secondary to surgical procedures is well known. Common symptoms following tongue splitting include pain, swelling and infection.

"Therefore," the resolution reads, "the Association recommends that its members discourage patients who request the procedure by educating them of the risks associated with this surgery."

Minnesota Oral Surgeon is ADA President-Elect

Robert M. Brandjord, D.D.S., who practices the dental specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery in Burnsville, Minnesota, was installed today as president-elect of the American Dental Association. Dr. Brandjord will assume the ADA presidency in October 2005.

The not-for-profit American Dental Association (ADA) is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 149,000 members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer and professional products.