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Kathleen Roth, D.D.S., president of the American Dental Association (ADA), will testify before the Health Subcommittee of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee on improving access to dental care.

Dr. Roth will urge the subcommittee to reform Medicaid in order to better address unmet oral health needs.

No more needless deaths; No more children unable to eat or sleep properly; unable to pay attention in school; unable to smile because of dental disease that could easily have been prevented and treated."

- Every child should see a dentist within six months of the appearance of the first tooth, and no later than the child's first birthday.

- Additional community-based initiatives are needed, such as water fluoridation, and the broader availability of dental sealants and topical fluoride.

The ADA has modeled a new type of allied dental professional, the Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC), which could greatly enhance the productivity of the dental team, by extending our reach into underserved communities.

The CDHC model is unique, in that it combines the provision of preventive services with triage, case management and referral to fully qualified dentists when needed.

During her testimony, Dr. Roth will offer examples of Medicaid programs in various states that have improved access to dental care.

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