ADA News
ADA asks Congress to invest in oral health
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ADA: Thank you, Chairman Obey The Association took the opportunity to thank Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.), who chairs the House Appropriations Committee. He will not stand for re-election this fall. "Mr. Chairman, I would be remiss if I did not note the personal interest that you have taken to improve oral health care in your state and in this country," said ADA President Ron Tankersley, concluding Association testimony on dental and oral health-related appropriations (see related story). "We appreciate your recognition of how funding for small clinics, local dental sealant projects, or federal dental programs can improve oral health outcomes and the dental workforce. You've been a wonderful champion for oral health in this country, and we will greatly miss you." Chairman Obey, adhering to a tight schedule that permitted little comment or questioning by the lawmakers, who were there to listen, nonetheless thanked Dr. Tankersley for the acknowledgment and invited the next public witness to testify. |
In testimony at House Appropriations Committee hearings, the Association cited the "many advances in oral health programs due in large part to the strong support provided by this committee. But there still remains much more to do to reduce oral disease and increase access to dental care."
Dr. Ron Tankersley, ADA president, testified in support of Department of Health and Human Services dental and oral health-related programs. The subcommittee on labor, health and human services, education and related agencies took testimony from public witnesses toward development of a government health budget for fiscal year 2011, which begins Oct. 1, 2010.
The House Appropriations Committee is where this annual process begins, and the focus May 12 was on dental and other health and education programs.
- The ADA supports the work of National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research but also believes more must be done to understand the social, behavioral and biological determinants of oral and dental diseases and their impact on dental care. While NIDCR-supported research has established a strong association between oral health and systemic health, there is more to uncover. The Association recommends funding the NIDCR at $463 million to advance its research agenda.
Since 2005, the NIDCR, one of the National Institutes of Health and the primary source of dental research funds, has established three regional research networks relying on private practicing dentists to conduct clinical research to answer questions they encounter daily in patient care. Nearly 700 practitioner-investigators have enrolled more than 30,000 patients in 16 studies, the Association said.
"Study findings have improved clinical decision-making for treatment of early tooth decay, addressed post-operative sensitivity and how to choose the most appropriate dental materials and improved patient education," the ADA told Congress. "These networks are important as they allow for the rapid translation of scientific advances into clinical practice while generating much needed data to guide and evaluate the delivery of oral health care."
- A newly authorized activity, Training in General, Pediatric and Public Health Dentistry, calls for funding to support the development and operation of general practice, pediatric and public health dental residency training programs; provide educational assistance for students; enhance faculty development, and provide faculty loan repayment. The ADA recommends $30 million as authorized for this activity and maintenance of dental residencies at current appropriation levels.
Oral health emphasis: ADA President Ron Tankersley testifies May 12 in Washington before the House Appropriations Committee in support of HHS dental and oral health-related programs. Photo by Bill Geiger.
The Association commended congressional appropriators for their support of dental residencies against executive branch attempts four years ago to reduce or eliminate support. "This committee not only restored the funding but as of this year has nearly doubled their appropriation. That support has stabilized and increased the number of general residency programs to 554 in 2009." Pediatric dental residency positions increased by 131 between 2005-2009.
The ADA also called for increased support for public health dental residencies for "rebuilding the local, state and federal aspects of the dental public health infrastructure" and "key to implementing the prevention and wellness provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," the new health reform law.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention division of oral health offers grant support for state oral health activities and for establishing or updating community water fluoridation systems. The Association recommends $33 million to fully fund the state infrastructure grant program and to assist community fluoridation efforts.
The recently enacted health reform authorizes CDC development of an oral health prevention education campaign, a research-based dental caries disease management program and a national dental sealant program as well as a CDC update of national dental health studies.
- The HHS maternal and child health bureau offers grant support for state and community health activities that focus on increasing the number of children receiving age-one dental visits, expanding services to children with special health care needs and increasing the number of children completing restorative treatment needs identified through sealant programs. The ADA recommends $8 million to expand this activity to all 50 states.
