ADA backs oral health initiative

Washington鈥擳he Senate was expected to act quickly on the ADA-backed Oral Health Initiative Act offered May 22 by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and co-sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).

“The ADA believes this bill will provide a much needed assessment of federal programs that are targeted at improving access to oral health services,” ADA President Mark J. Feldman told Sen. Cardin. “On behalf of the ADA, we thank you for sponsoring this important piece of legislation.”

Sen. Cardin introduced S. 3064 “to establish a multi-faceted approach to improve access and eliminate disparities in oral health care.” The legislation would create a multi-agency working group to review Department of Health and Human Services oral health programs to identify successes and recommend better resource allocation.

An advisory panel would offer perspectives from dentists, state Medicaid dental and program directors and public oral health specialists who work with dental disease.

“The ADA believes that bringing together the various federal dental divisions and creating an advisory panel will allow for greater coordination and collaboration of effort to improve access to dental care for underserved populations,” the Association said in the letter signed by Dr. Feldman. “As the leading advocate for America’s oral health, the ADA appreciates efforts to improve access for underserved, vulnerable members of our society.”