Collins, Feingold Hail Extension of Program to Improve Dental Health Care

Press Release

COLLINS, FEINGOLD HAIL EXTENSION OF PROGRAM TO IMPROVE DENTAL HEALTH CARE
Congress Reauthorizes Collins-Feingold Measure that Expands Dental Care for Underserved Areas

U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) hailed the reauthorization of a program they created that will improve dental care for people living in underserved areas. Congress reauthorized the Dental Health Improvement Act, passed by Collins and Feingold in 2002, as part of a larger bill passed by Congress today. The Dental Health Care Improvement Act provides grants to states to help them develop innovative dental programs and focus on expanding dental care to people living in underserved urban and rural areas. The reauthorized program would be extended for five years and now heads to the President for his signature.

"Dental care is an integral part of overall health care, and this funding will help improve the health of individuals in areas of Maine that are currently underserved," said Senator Collins. "In Maine, there is one general practice dentist for every 2,300 people in the Portland area. The numbers drop off dramatically, however, in other parts of our state. In Aroostook County, for example, there is only one dentist for every 5,500 people. There is clearly a need to make oral health care services more accessible in our nation's rural and underserved communities and this additional funding will help do just that."

"The reauthorization of this important program means we can continue to bring people in underserved communities the dental care they need," Feingold said. "While we welcome this extension, there are still many communities that could benefit from these grants. There is an enormous interest in the program and I will continue working to increase access to oral health care."

The Collins-Feingold Dental Health Improvement Act authorizes a state grant program administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration at the Department of Health and Human Services that is designed to improve access to oral health services in rural and underserved areas. States, which must match at least 40 percent of the grant amount, may use the funds for a wide variety of programs. States can use the funds for loan forgiveness and repayment programs for dentists practicing in underserved areas. They can also use the funds to establish or expand community or school-based dental facilities or to set up mobile or portable dental clinics. To assist in their recruitment and retention efforts, states can use the funds for placement and support of dental students, residents and advanced dentistry trainees, or. Or they can use the grant funds for continuing dental education, through distance-based education and practice support through teledentistry.

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