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Wehkamp j.wehkamp@dental-tribune.com Dental Tribune America, LLC 213 West 35th Street, Suite 801 New York, NY 10001 Tel.: (212) 244-7181 Fax: (212) 244-7185 Published by Dental Tribune America © 2010 Dental Tribune America, LLC All rights reserved. Dental Tribune strives to maintain the utmost accuracy in its news and clini- cal reports. If you find a factual error or content that requires clarification, please contact Group Editor Robin Goodman at r.goodman@dental-tribune.com. Dental Tribune cannot assume respon- sibility for the validity of product claims or for typographical errors. The pub- lisher also does not assume responsibility for product names or statements made by advertisers. Opinions expressed by authors are their own and may not reflect those of Dental Tribune America. Dr. Joel Berg Dr. L. Stephen Buchanan Dr. Arnaldo Castellucci Dr. Gorden Christensen Dr. Rella Christensen Dr. William Dickerson Hugh Doherty Dr. James Doundoulakis Dr. David Garber Dr. Fay Goldstep Dr. Howard Glazer Dr. Harold Heymann Dr. Karl Leinfelder Dr. Roger Levin Dr. Carl E. Misch Dr. Dan Nathanson Dr. Chester Redhead Dr. Irwin Smigel Dr. Jon Suzuki Dr. Dennis Tartakow Dr. Dan Ward Editorial Board DENTAL TRIBUNE The World’s Dental Newspaper · US Edition that our children can hear prop- erly, see properly and are free from other diseases. However, dental diseases, the most prevalent of all, do not receive the same attention.” Halpern asked the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to consider mandating oral health programs in all public schools. Additionally, Halpern expressed his support for initiatives that ensure that minority and rural pop- ulations receive quality oral health care services from dentists. Such initiatives, he said, could include loan repayment programs to den- tists working in community health and underserved settings, the res- toration of Title VII, and patient transportation and non-dental social services programs. Halpern also spoke about the importance of shifting from a treat- ment-based concept of medicine to one based on prevention. He stated that this transformation can be achieved by assisting patients, physicians and communities to become oral health literate. “Yes, the HHS must continue its water fluoridation programs as a fallback to maintain a minimal level of oral health in communi- ties, but this is not nearly suffi- cient — utilization through greater oral health literacy is mandatory,” Halpern said. Halpern also expressed his dis- appointment over the lack of a practicing private-practice dentist on the committee and encour- aged the committee to reconsider appointing a general dentist from the private-practice community. DT According to the Academy of General Dentistry, more needs to be done to improve children’s oral health as oral diseases negatively impact learning, interfere with eat- ing and contribute to poor self- esteem. AGD President David F. Halp- ern, DMD, FAGD, testified in the nation’s capital recently during the first meeting of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee on Oral Health Initiative. During his testimony, Halpern emphasized access to care and oral health lit- eracy. “Public schools have played a critical role in keeping our children healthy,” Halpern said. “Schools routinely hold programs to ensure News DENTAL TRIBUNE | May 20102A ADS dentists said their patients are put- ting off needed dental work and visits for preventative dental care are also on the decline according to more than half of dentists. The survey also revealed that nearly 75 percent of dentists sur- veyed said their patients are report- ing increased stress in their lives, and 65 percent of dentists are seeing an increase in jaw clenching and teeth grinding among their patients, signs that stress may be taking its toll on the mouth. DT By Fred Michmershuizen, Online Editor f DT page 1A, ‘Economic’ health-care facilities, and we are grateful that so many donors share in the NCOHF mission to eliminate children’s unnecessary suffering from pediatric dental disease.” A representative of A Fluoride Connection Non Profit Corp., one of the grant recipients, expressed gratitude to NCOHF for the financial support. “We work in an area that has many rural poor farm families. Many don’t qualify for the state- offered dental health plan, and as a result our organization receives very low reimbursement from the state program,” said Kathleen Traut, executive director of A Fluoride Connection. “We won’t turn any child away if they are uninsured or otherwise aren’t on the program, we simply get paid less. Funding from America’s Toothfairy has eased our financial worries in providing vital services for the little ones who won’t other- wise have any dental experiences at all. It is gratifying to share such a passion for children’s oral health with America’s Toothfairy.” DT all oral-health programs to children from vulnerable populations. Through continued support from financial and product contributions, as well as technical resources, the affiliate network has reached more than 1 million children since 2006, NCOHF said. “It is only through the contin- ued generosity of NCOHF individual, organizational and corporate part- ners that America’s Toothfairy grant awards are possible,” said Fern Ing- ber, NCOHF president and CEO, in expressing gratitude to supporters. “We are honored to serve as a comprehensive resource provider for our affiliate network of nonprofit f DT page 1A, ‘NCOHF’ ‘More should be done to improve children’s oral health,’ AGD says By Fred Michmershuizen, Online Editor