Most people I know don't enjoy visiting their dentist's office; yet, they are fiercely loyal to their dentist. That's a conundrum. But, I think it's because people recognize the importance of good oral health and they want to use their benefits. So, imagine if you don't have access to coverage. 

One benefit of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is the expansion of dental insurance coverage for children. It's designed to foster a promising future for millions of kids (5.3 million, in fact) who, until the PPACA came along, didn't have access to dental insurance. Seems like a good thing, right? Well, sure. But, as with everything, there are upsides and downsides.

The upsides: First, studies show that people without dental coverage don't visit a dentist regularly. Second, tooth decay is the number one chronic health problem among children. These two items in combination create a sobering result, which is that a common dental problem (tooth decay) may only get treated through expensive procedures. Essentially, the decay is allowed to progress too far and, ultimately, subjects our kids to greater risks of more serious diseases. The upside is that the ACA extends coverage—and care—to kids at greatest risk.