Governor's Budget Eliminates Access to Oral Health Services

Governor McDonnell's budget for the upcoming fiscal year does not restore funding for Virginia Department of Health (VDH) dental clinics, which provide dental care for over 20,000 individuals, despite a clear directive from a stakeholder group convened by the Commissioner of Health to make recommendations about the long term operations of the dental clinics.

The stakeholder group, after much study and analysis, unanimously recommended that a 'targeted regional approach' to dental clinic operations is necessary as many VDH dental clinics are the only access point for oral health care for the underserved in their areas.  

Gov. McDonnell also reiterated his view that Virginia should not expand its Medicaid eligibility, forgoing tens of billions of dollars in Federal funds and denying 420,000 individuals access to medical benefits and emergency dental extractions. 

The Coalition and its partners understand that access to oral health services saves lives, improves well being and saves money. Please join us on January 30th for legislative day and make your voice heard as we advocate for restoration of funding for the dental clinics and to expand Medicaid for adults whose income (for a family of four) is $31,800 or below.  Click here to register for Legislative Day on January 30, 2013.

Back to top

The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project has released a statistical brief that shows a 16% increase in dental-related emergency department (ED) visits, despite the fact that EDs are largely unable to adequately treat the causes of dental pain.

Back to top