It is a crisis issue: Lawmakers tackle lack of affordable dental care access WPXI [Video]

WASHINGTON — Taking care of our smile is essential to our overall health. But for millions of Americans, that care is out of reach because of cost.

It was the focus of a Senate hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday.

“This is an issue we do not discuss enough. It is a crisis issue,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee.

Sanders said 91 million Americans don’t have dental insurance and said about half of Americans with dental insurance skip getting care because they can’t afford out-of-pocket costs.

He said one out of five seniors in the U.S. are missing all their natural teeth and more than 40% of kids have tooth decay by the time they reach kindergarten.

The panel also pointed to critical workforce shortages of dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists.

“Promoting a sufficient dental care workforce that serves patients …