February 2023

Dr. Teague will soon be heading to Washington, DC, to visit with our state's legislators at the ADA's Annual "Dentist and Student Lobby Day."  This year's topics for discussion include student debt, dental medicaid benefits, and insurance companies dictating fees on non-covered services.  Dr. Teague feels especially committed to supporting the "Enduring Lasting Smiles Act" (S. 754/ H.R. 1916).  The Enduring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA) is bipartisan legislation designed to support the restoration and reconstruction of the dentitions of children born with craniofacial birth defects.  1 in 33 children born in the United States are affected by some form of birth defect.  Craniofacial anomalies such as cleft lip and/or palate or hypodontia (the absence of teeth) can be devastating to a child's ability to breathe, speak, or eat.  Unfortunately, many insurance companies, while covering the initial corrective surgeries, will deny or delay follow-up or longer-term corrective procedures to restore form and function for these children, claiming these procedures to be cosmetic in nature.  ELSA would require all insurance plans to cover medically necessary services resulting from a congenital anomaly or birth defect, including reconstructive, dental, orthodontic, and prosthodontic services.  The bill specifically exempts cosmetic services.

November 2022 

Dr. Teague has just returned from Houston, Texas, representing North Carolina in the American Dental Association's House of Delegates.  Governance, strategic forecasting, and the ADA's budget dominated most of the debate on the House floor.  A most interesting topic discussed was a ballet question coming up in the next election in the state of Massachusetts.  "Question 2" on the ballet would establish a minimum medical loss ratio of 83% for dental insurance companies in the state of Massachusetts.  Essentially, that would mean that dental insurance companies would have to spend at least 83% of their collected premiums toward dental care for their insureds.  Legislation such as this has never been passed in our country.  As you can imagine, the ADA is strongly supportive of such patient centered legislation.  We shall see how the voters in Massachusetts speak on this issue.  Of course, the potential exists for this vote to establish a precedent for other states in the country to pass similar legislation.   

UPDATE:  Question 2 overwhelmingly passed the vote in Massachusetts!!! 

CONGRATULATIONS, DR. TEAGUE!!

Dr. Teague was recently featured in the Annual Report for Benco Dental Company. Benco Dental is one of the country's leading suppliers of dental products and equipment to the dental profession. Dr. Teague was one of four dentists selected nationally and was recognized for his efforts in "Leadership and Advocacy" relative to the COVID-19 vaccination of the dental profession. A portion of the article reads, "Nobody in the North Carolina dental community was surprised that Dr. Teague emerged as one of the strongest and most relentless voices advocating to prioritize dental professionals for vaccinations. A former president of the North Carolina Dental Society, he has a lifetime of awards and service demonstrating his dedication." 

To read the full article, please click the link provided and scroll to page 8: Benco Dental Annual Report