Dec 11, 2019 | Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, the Delta Dental Institute partnered with Axios to host a 2019 capstone event in Washington, D.C., featuring interviews with three influential health policy leaders. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb, Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, and President of American University and former Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell shared their views on the future of comprehensive health care in the United States.

Each speaker focused on a different aspect of the national health debate, highlighting what they believe will become prominent themes in 2020 and beyond. Dr. Gottlieb discussed the danger of flavored vaping products and echoed the Delta Dental Institute's call to ban these products. Senator Cassidy called for a more holistic approach to health care, focusing on the whole person and social determinants of health to achieve optimal care. President Burwell noted that everyday Americans agree: they want accessible, affordable care.

Earlier this year, the Delta Dental Institute convened a five-city roundtable tour, engaging with local leaders in Denver, Chicago, Nashville, Phoenix, and Boston. In each city, attendees shared their unique perspectives on the importance of connecting oral and overall health, and ideas for how best to address disparities across communities.

Jason Daughn, speaking on behalf of the Delta Dental Institute, summed up the tour at the event last week: "What we heard from local elected officials, deans of medical and dental schools, and CEOs of health tech companies on this tour was encouraging. Stepping outside of the Beltway, we saw local leaders working together to help all Americans make more informed decisions about their oral health and overall health."

See Axios' coverage of the discussion in Washington, D.C. here.