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Iowa Dental Association: Iowa receives an "A" for addressing children's dental health needs
2/23/2010

OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 23, 2010

Contact: Lee Konfrst, 515-224-8955

Iowa Receives an “A” for Addressing Children’s Dental Health Needs

More needs to be done to ensure Iowans continue receiving quality oral health care

DES MOINES, IA – Today the Pew Center on the States released a new report called “The Cost of Delay” that grades how well each state addresses the dental health care needs of its children. Iowa received an “A” grade.

“We are pleased to see that Pew recognizes the progress the Iowa dental profession and our public and private partners have made in Iowa toward ensuring our children receive quality dental health care and we welcome them to the policy discussion,” said Dr. Steven Bradley, Iowa Dental Association President. “It is our top priority and by no means should we abandon our efforts for better public policy because of one grade on one report. There is more work to be done.”

“For example, Pew references Iowa’s I-Smile program that requires children aged 12 years and under to have a Dental Home,” said Dr. Bradley. “The state-mandated Dental Home program of the Iowa Dental Association, the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, the Iowa Department of Public Health, and the Iowa Department of Human Services has yet to be implemented and may be delayed a second time if the Iowa Legislature passes legislation under consideration in the current session. Senator Tom Harkin and Representative Bruce Braley have been instrumental in securing federal funding for a demonstration project to ensure the program is ready for full implementation. To fully leverage this funding, we need to encourage the State to implement the Dental Home program soon and assist in funding this demonstration project.”

“We have much to be proud of in Iowa, but I don’t believe the thousands of children and families we’ve treated with free care at volunteer events like this month’s Give Kids a Smile® and our annual Iowa Mission of Mercy should continue to rely on charity alone for their dental health care needs,” said Dr. Bradley. “During Children’s Dental Health Month, today’s report should serve as a continuing challenge to the profession and to policymakers to continue ensuring Iowa is a national leader in providing quality dental health care to our children.”


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