It is a crisis issue: Lawmakers tackle lack of affordable dental care access WSOC TV [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 of out of five seniors in the U.S. are missing all their natural teeth and more than 40 percent 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 …