Today’s dental payment system is fragmented, with low reimbursement rates, limited integration with medical insurance, and high out-of-pocket costs that create significant barriers to care. These challenges contribute to underutilization and hinder the ability to prioritize prevention and long-term health outcomes.
This panel will explore the following questions:
- How must payment models evolve by 2050 to ensure affordability, expand access, and recognize oral health as an essential component of overall health?
- What role will value-based care, alternative reimbursement models, and integrated medical-dental financing play in improving outcomes and reducing total cost of care?
- How can payment systems be redesigned to align incentives across providers, payors, and patients, while supporting innovation, transparency, and equity?