system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why is dental not considered a health matter and not covered under medical insurance when poor dental health can lead to a variety of life threatening conditions?

In that same vein, why does it seem that no two dentists can agree on the services a person needs? Is the industry less regulated?

Edit: For the folks saying most dental issues would go away if people took care of their teeth- yes and no. Some people are pre-disposed to more cavities and gum disease regardless of how much they clean and floss. Also, if that's the reasoning behind not covering dental and it not being a health matter, why are we still covering smokers or people who develop heart disease or diabetes who refuse to change their diets? Arguing that we should not cover dental because it's largely preventative ignores the high fat/sodium/diets the American public consumes and is likewise covered under medical insurance. Gum disease and tooth decay can lead to life threatening conditions in the same way a high sugar diet can lead to diabetes. What's the difference?
gpt
Because health insurance originated in hospitals (as a way to provide a more stable income for them and easier to plan expense for patients) and they covered the people who provided services within hospitals.  Dentists rarely are affiliated with hospitals, so they started their own insurance programs.