The request for funding to improve access to oral health care and strengthen the country's dental workforce was initiated by Senator Collins who authored the Dental Health Improvement Act. The legislation was signed into law by President Bush last year, provides funding to help states develop innovative dental workforce development programs.
"Too many Mainers today lack access to dental care, particularly in rural areas," said Senator Collins. "In Aroostook County there is only one dentist for every 5,500 people, compared to one dentist for every 2,300 people in the Portland area. At a time when tooth decay is the most prevalent childhood disease in America, Maine has fewer than ten specialists in pediatric dentistry - most in the Southern part of the state. On top of this, the dentist shortage is exacerbated by the fact the Maine currently does not have a dental school or even a dental residency program."
States could use these grants to fund a wide variety of programs such as community or school-based dental facilities, mobile or portable dental clinics, and loan forgiveness and repayment programs for dentists practicing in underserved areas. States could also use the grant funds to support continuing dental education.
"These programs will help increase the number of skilled dentists serving in rural communities and help Mainers across the state to access the dental services they need."
House and Senate negotiators must now approve the Senator's dental measure as they work out differences between the spending bills.