American Dental Association Praises Rep. Elijah Cummings’ Pediatric Dental Bill

CHICAGO, May 17, 2007—The American Dental Association (ADA) applauds Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., for introducing legislation to help end the silent epidemic of untreated dental disease among the nation’s disadvantaged children.

“It is unconscionable that in 21st Century America, thousands upon thousands of children can’t eat or sleep properly, can’t pay attention in school, can’t even smile because they suffer from chronic pain and infection caused by untreated dental disease,” said ADA President Kathleen Roth, DDS. “This disease is easily prevented and, when it does occur, easily treated, but only if the means are in place to get the child to the dentist. Rep. Cummings’s bill would take important steps toward making that possible for more kids.”

The bill honors the memory of Deamonte Driver, a Maryland boy who died in February, at age 12, from a brain infection that apparently stemmed from untreated dental disease. It seeks to improve access to dental care for underserved children, increasing the number of dentists specially trained to treat children and increasing the capacity of community health centers to provide that treatment.

“The 155,000 members of the American Dental Association urge Congress to pass Deamonte’s Law as a meaningful step in ending what amounts to a national disgrace,” said Dr. Roth.

About the American Dental Association
The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 155,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. JADA, a monthly journal, is the ADA's flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at www.ada.org

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