Skilled Nursing News October 20, 2025
Fragmented Medicaid coverage coupled with the lack of a dental benefit under traditional Medicare leads to poor oral health outcomes for older adults in nursing homes. Staffing shortages and rural access issues compound the problem.
This is the conclusion of an issue brief from Justice in Aging, a national organization focused on helping seniors from marginalized populations age with dignity and without financial worries. The organization has been advocating for a Medicare Part B oral health benefit since 2016.
Federal law requires nursing homes to evaluate dental health and provide access to care for residents, explains the brief. A new resident’s oral health should be evaluated upon intake and then on a quarterly basis. Facilities are also supposed to provide...
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