 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Lack of Access Among Factors Keeping Underserved Children Out of the Dentist’s ChairFew Dentists Take Medicaid or KidsCare Payments, Survey FindsApril 20, 2004 CHICAGO—Chicago children who need dental care and depend on Medicaid coverage face a big cavity in their search for a dentist who will treat them, according to findings of a telephone survey released today by Oral Health America. Only 1 in 4 dentists surveyed in Cook County said they accept Medicaid/KidsCare as a form of payment, a barrier that dramatically limits oral health care access for children who have the coverage. While 3 in 4 dentists surveyed treat children, they don't accept the insurance that many rely on for routine dental care. More than 30 percent of Cook County's nearly 1.5 million children—almost 425,000 kids—live in poverty and rely on Medicaid for health coverage. Coupled with an estimated 75,000 children in Illinois KidsCare, over 500,000 children in Chicago’s Cook County who rely on Medicaid have limited access to dental care. “Underserved and uninsured children already plagued by a variety of health and medical problems are further compromised when they can’t get the oral health care they need and deserve,” said Robert Klaus, president of Oral Health America, the Chicago-based advocacy group. The results of Oral Health America’s dentist survey are based on interviews with 200 general dentists randomly selected in December 2003 from the Chicago Yellow Pages. Chicago dentists were asked if they treated children and if they accepted Medicaid as payment for dental services. Students at Sabin Elementary School today learned that they would be receiving oral health education and access to a dentist without even leaving their school. Oral Health America chose Sabin and 12 other Chicago Community Schools to launch Smiles Across America, a new program bringing oral health services to Chicago school children. The program, supported by funding from the Michael Reese Health Trust, Bank One, Harris Bank, and Steans Family Foundation, will reach approximately 1,400 children this spring. Smiles Across America will provide children with oral health exams, teeth cleanings, fluoride treatments and dental sealant placements. Oral health care remains the most prevalent unmet health need among American children. An estimated 25 percent of all children across the country have never seen a dentist before entering kindergarten. Many second and sixth graders treated through Smiles Across America have never had a dental visit. “Smiles Across America is reaching Medicaid-eligible and uninsured children who otherwise would have no access to care,” Klaus said. “The success of this program is based on the development of a public/private partnership dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for children in Chicago.” Oral Health America’s partners in this effort include the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and CPS Office of After School and Community School Programs, Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), and Columbia College/Bank One Community Schools. “Dental disease in Illinois students has reached epidemic proportions," said Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn. "We need to ensure that systems are in place to guarantee good dental health so that our young people can thrive in the classrooms. This is an education issue, public health issue and economic issue facing every Illinoisan and much more needs to be done." Oral Health America is the nation’s premier independent organization devoted to oral health. For more information, visit www.oralhealthamerica.org.
|
