This Petition is taking aim at the following organizations:

• U.S Department of Health and Human Services
• Dental and Health insurance companies (Delta Dental, Cigna, Metlife, Bluecross Blueshield,etc.)
• ALL Dental Providers
• Food and Beverage Corporations
• FDA

Petition started by Jonathan Monk

Discovery Bay, California

Dental Implants are essential for long-term oral health, not just cosmetic enhancement.  we urge the government, dental insurance companies, dental providers, and food corporations to reclassify dental implants as a health necessity and cover them under standard dental insurance plans. 

Moreover, we call attention to the role that heavily marketed sugar-based products play in the dental crisis, especially among the youth. It is time for a comprehensive approach to dental health that includes both preventative measures and accessible treatment options.

My story:

From a young age, I suffered from tooth decay due to an enamel deficiency. Despite my best efforts, including regularly brushing, decay worsened as I grew older. Like many children, I was exposed to a flood of sugar-heavy foods and drinks-Candy, Soda, and sugary snacks- that were aggressively marketed to me and my peers. These products were part of my daily life, and over time, the damage became irreversible.

At 18 I had my first tooth removed due to infections and cavities, and today, at 27, I've had 8 molars removed. Chewing even basic foods is a struggle. Several dentists have warned me that getting dentures now will cause my gum and jaw bone to recede, making future implants impossible. I am left with a mouth of decayed teeth, in constant pain, and unable to find relief. Brushing my teeth causes bleeding, and something as simple as a smiling can trigger bleeding as well. This has deeply impacted both my physical and mental health, leaving me in constant discomfort and distress.

The role of Sugar and Advertising:

My case is NOT unique, and one major contributor is the overconsumption of sugar, which is heavily promoted by large food and beverage corporations, across social media platforms, television, and streaming services. Sugary products are specifically targeted at children and adolescents through aggressive advertising, creating lifelong habits and addiction. From colorful cereal boxes, to flashy soda commercials, children are bombarded with marketing that encourages sugar consumption without any awareness of the long-term health risks, including tooth decay and other oral health issues.

The normalization of sugary diets, combined with the lack of affordable dental care, creates a vicious cycle. People like me, who have suffered from tooth decay at a young age, are then left with expensive, inaccessible solutions like dental implants, which are deemed "cosmetic" by insurance companies.

The Broader issue:

We demand that dental implants be reclassified as medically necessary treatments, not cosmetic procedures. Insurance companies, government health systems, and dental providers must recognize the profound impact of oral health on overall well-being. Additionally, we call on food corporations to take responsibility for the role they play in this crisis by reducing the aggressive marketing of sugary products to children.

SIGN THIS PETITION to help make dental impants accessible for all who need them, not just those who can afford them, and to hold companies accountable for their role in promoting harmful dietary habits that lead to lieflong dental issues and distress.