Statement by ADA President Dr. Kathleen Roth on Small Business Legislation Encouraging Health Care Providers to Practice in Underserved Areas

CHICAGO, March 8, 2007—Dr. Kathleen Roth, president of the American Dental Association, today told members of the House Small Business Committee that legislation establishing loan incentives for health care providers, including dentists, would help them establish practices in underserved communities, such as rural areas or those with a disproportionate number of low-income families.

Her testimony supported a legislative proposal that would decrease the cost of obtaining Small Business Administration loans for physicians, dentists and other health care professionals who open offices in designated health professional shortage areas by reducing origination fees and increasing the guarantees offered to lenders.

“Key among the barriers to increasing access to oral health care is the simple fact that some areas don’t have enough dentists to serve all patients in need of care,” Dr. Roth said.

Many dentists want to provide services to underserved communities but can’t currently afford to set up their practices in those areas, she explained. The loan incentives under consideration by the House Small Business Committee would be a good step toward making that possible, thereby improving the oral health care of poor populations.

About the American Dental Association

Celebrating its 150th anniversary, the not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 156,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The monthly Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at www.ada.org

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