Question 2 on the state’s Nov. 2 referendum ballot addresses a serious public health problem in Maine ”“ the lack of adequate access to dental care. The question seeks $5 million to establish a dental college and a network of community dental clinics ”“ assets that will benefit Maine for years to come.
We strongly recommend a “Yes” vote.
The state currently has one dentist for every 2,300 people ”“ a ratio that is one of the worst in the nation. This is a shortage that potentially affects all of us, but the impact on those without resources is especially serious.
The fact that routine dental care is unavailable to many has an inevitable result: Pain and disease. Another consequence is undue expense: Among teens and young adults who are uninsured or on Mainecare, dental disease is the leading cause of emergency room visits, according to a recent study by the Muskie School of Public Service.
An emergency room is the wrong place for dental care, but emergency room doctors handled 11,960 dental cases in 2006, typically prescribing painkillers and antibiotics and advising patients to see a dentist.
Poor oral health is responsible for more than pain and the loss of teeth. It is associated with health problems like strokes, heart disease and diabetes. Among children it can hinder academic performance and limit the prospects for success in life.
The proposed bond issue seeks to address these problems by encouraging more dentists to practice in Maine. It allocates $3.5 million for a community-based teaching clinic associated with a college of dental medicine. Such a grant would require an additional $3.5 million in matching funds.
The University of New England, which is currently raising funds to establish a dental college, said it would be in a strong position to compete for these funds.
The state bond issue also proposes to spend $1.5 million establishing dental care clinics throughout Maine. It is expected that they will provide low-cost care for 60,000 dental visits per year.
Question 2 has been endorsed by gubernatorial candidates Eliot Cutler, Paul LePage and Elizabeth Mitchell, as well as the Maine Dental Association, Maine Medical Association and Maine Chamber of Commerce.
With a large proportion of Maine’s dentists expected to retire in the next 10 years, the state faces a growing crisis in dental care that must be addressed. Spending $5 million to improve access to dentistry would improve the health of many Mainers. And in the long run, it can be expected to lower health care costs and improve Maine’s productivity.
— Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at nickc@journaltribune.com.
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