WLC dentists advocate for access, meth mouth legislation

Washington鈥擱ep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) graciously received her home state dentists a half hour early for their scheduled visit during the May 12-14 Washington Leadership Conference and listened to their message, perhaps unremarkable but noteworthy for the engaged and interested reception.

Her constituent, Dr. James Ross, a retired periodontist, and Dr. William Powell, a practicing endodontist not of her district, came to Capitol Hill to discuss ADA-backed “meth mouth” and dental access legislation pending in Congress鈥攖wo dentists from Tennessee whose WLC included meetings in the House and Senate with members and staff of the state’s congressional delegation. The “Congressman,” as she prefers to be addressed, listened carefully. They came early to see her, and she honored that quietly with knowing responses as appropriate, a crowded waiting room left for the staff to sort out.

The dentists urged support for legislation offering tax credit for donated dental services for low income individuals and other incentives to encourage participation of private practice dentists in state Medicaid and children’s health insurance programs. “That’s one of the things I promoted in the state,” she said. They promoted “meth mouth” bills aimed at prevention in the community and dental response in the correctional system.

“We have done a lot of work on the meth issue,” she replied from experience in the Tennessee legislature and the U.S. Congress, pointing to the through-state trafficking and interdiction of methamphetamine chemicals intended for “dirty labs.” Dr. Powell offered a case from professional experience of a woman whose “horrible condition” puzzled him as to how it got that bad. He gained new awareness, he told the “Congressman,” after reading an ADA News article on methamphetamine abuse and the associated condition of rotting, decaying teeth known as “meth mouth.” She nodded in understanding.

“We certainly appreciate your understanding of the issue,” he said.

“Absolutely,” Rep. Blackburn replied.