Montgomery, AL – Dentists and dental students across Alabama are urging lawmakers to reform dental insurance policies, warning that current practices limit patient access and discourage providers from practicing in the state.
At a news conference at the state capitol, a coalition of oral health professionals outlined systemic issues with dental insurance coverage. They highlighted that insurers are not required to allocate a fixed portion of premiums to patient care, leaving many patients to delay or forgo essential treatment due to cost.
The coalition also stressed that these insurance policies create hurdles for dentists seeking to open new practices in Alabama. Low reimbursement rates and financial uncertainty make it difficult for providers to operate sustainably, contributing to a shortage of dental care in parts of the state.
Access to dental services remains uneven across Alabama. Some counties face critical shortages, relying on an aging workforce, while others have few or no practicing dentists.
To address these issues, advocates are calling on lawmakers to pass proposed legislation that would set minimum spending requirements for dental insurers. Under the proposal, 83% of premiums from group plans and 75% from individual plans would be directed toward patient care.
Proponents say the measure would increase transparency, prioritize patient needs, and expand access to dental services without raising premiums.