USA - Dental funding needs a filling in Wisconsin

Dental funding needs a filling in Wisconsin
A Wisconsin State Journal editorial
Wisconsin can't smile about its dental care for kids.
Nearly one in five school children has untreated tooth decay, a 2008 state survey suggests. And that contributes to more than just pain and rotten teeth.
Dental problems have been pegged as a big cause of absenteeism in Dane County schools, especially for low-income families. And missed school often leads to students falling behind. Dental problems also have been linked to higher risk for poor overall health.
Many parents need to do a better job of making sure their children brush and floss. Some programs wisely require parents to attend an oral health class before their children can get free checkups.
Yet a bigger hurdle is insufficient state funding of dental care for impoverished children. The state does a great job of offering low-income children dental coverage. But because of low reimbursements, many Wisconsin dentists don't accept new Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus patients.
So the dental coverage often doesn't lead to actual dental care.


Wisconsin is 90% fluoridated:NYSCOF