Dental News - Congress passes legislation to improve access to oral health care

Dental Tribune International

Fri. 21. December 2018

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CHICAGO, U.S.: For a number of years, dentists throughout America have been working to improve access to oral health care for those in underserved regions. In a positive step forward in that pursuit, Congress has recently passed the Action for Dental Health Act, something the American Dental Association (ADA) has commended.

Signed by President Trump on Dec. 11, the Action for Dental Health Act targets federal funding to provide dental care to vulnerable populations, especially children, seniors and those living in rural, urban and Native American communities.

“This is a tremendous victory for dentistry and patients everywhere,” said ADA President Dr. Jeffrey M. Cole. “The Action for Dental Health initiative shows that our profession believes all Americans deserve good dental health. The ADA is pleased to see Congress prioritizing legislation that will improve access to oral healthcare.”

Introduced by Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL 2^nddistrict) and Congressman Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), D.M.D., the legislation originally passed the U.S. House of Representatives in February with 90 percent of members voting in favor. A slightly amended version was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and passed in October 2018.

Commenting on the work of these members of congress, the ADA commended and thanked the co-sponsors of this bill who helped recognize the need to make oral health care a priority.

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