{"content":[{"text":"TESTIMONY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS DENTAL SOCIETY \n BEFORE THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES \n NOVEMBER 28, 2017","bbox":{"left":0.211797,"top":0.180116,"width":0.576078,"height":0.07325799999999999}},{"text":"H.551 – AN ACT RELATIVE TO ANESTHESIA COVERAGE FOR CHILDREN \n HOSPITALIZED FOR DENTAL TREATMENT","bbox":{"left":0.154549,"top":0.284662,"width":0.6905619999999999,"height":0.04708299999999993}},{"text":"Young children and persons with special health conditions have greater difficulty","bbox":{"left":0.176503,"top":0.362896,"width":0.63802,"height":0.020212000000000008}},{"text":"undergoing long dental procedures. They are prone to involuntary movements and risk suffering","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.397745,"width":0.755317,"height":0.020212000000000008}},{"text":"serious injury from sharp instruments in the mouth. For this reason, hospitalization and general","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.432593,"width":0.74536,"height":0.020212000000000008}},{"text":"anesthesia are often necessary for these patients to receive proper and safe dental treatment.","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.467442,"width":0.718138,"height":0.020212000000000008}},{"text":"General anesthesia renders the patient temporarily unconscious to prevent discomfort, pain, and","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.50229,"width":0.750588,"height":0.020212000000000008}},{"text":"movement that can affect the safety and outcome of the treatment process.","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.537164,"width":0.58235,"height":0.020212000000000008}},{"text":"Unfortunately, many of these patients are forced to delay, compromise, or forgo","bbox":{"left":0.176503,"top":0.572013,"width":0.626843,"height":0.020212000000000008}},{"text":"treatment because their families cannot afford hospital and anesthesia fees on top of treatment.","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.606861,"width":0.741294,"height":0.020212000000000008}},{"text":"Many private insurers refuse reimbursement f5or these costs, citing the procedures as medically","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.64171,"width":0.7523890000000001,"height":0.020212000000000008}},{"text":"unnecessary. As a result, the young patient does not receive necessary dental care, resulting in","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.676558,"width":0.7373270000000001,"height":0.020212000000000008}},{"text":"greater use of antibiotics and painkillers, disturbed sleep patterns, problems with eating, and","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.711407,"width":0.7222740000000001,"height":0.020212000000000008}},{"text":"overall prolonged pain and suffering.","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.746293,"width":0.291131,"height":0.020212000000000008}},{"text":"An Act Relative to Anesthesia Coverage for Children Hospitalized for Dental Treatment","bbox":{"left":0.176503,"top":0.782687,"width":0.690941,"height":0.01849999999999996}},{"text":"will allow these patients to receive the dental care they need by requiring that private insurers","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.81599,"width":0.7330990000000001,"height":0.020212000000000008}},{"text":"cover the cost of general anesthesia rendered by an anesthesiologist and the associated hospital","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.850838,"width":0.744115,"height":0.020212000000000008}},{"text":"fees. This change would apply only to children who are under six years, the severely","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.885682,"width":0.6632750000000001,"height":0.020212000000000008}}],"images_bbox":[],"images_bbox_not_text_overlap":[]}