Letter to the editor: Let’s give extra Maine young children a explanation to smile

In their May perhaps 20 commentary on dental wellbeing, state Rep. Lori K. Gramlich and dentist Steve Mills make the scenario for two pending payments: L.D. 996, which expands dental care for older people, and L.D. 1501, which expands the University Oral Health Program. The bills address a significant need affecting tens of thousands.

A little bit of record: In the early 1970s, I staffed a Portland United Way task power that gathered information on dental disorder in Cumberland County. The examine was prompted by Entire world War II Selective Provider exams displaying Maine had the worst DMF level – decayed, missing and loaded enamel – in the country.

The task force realized of children whose infant teeth had been rotted, of teenagers who obtained dentures upon graduating from superior college and of adults whose position alternatives were being minimal simply because they were too ashamed to smile. The undertaking force report persuaded United Way to fund model applications that could run in educational facilities. The plans included a fluoride rinse, brushing with fluoride toothpaste and using a fluoride pill. Moms and dads and teachers were delighted with these kinds of a very simple and helpful software.

I later joined the Brennan administration as commissioner of human products and services. When the report was introduced to his notice, then-Gov. Joe Brennan received guiding two of its suggestions: generating an Business of Dental Health and creating a statewide, school-primarily based dental method. The two were carried out and very well-received, together with by small children delighted by a costumed, point out-funded “Bruce the Dental Health Moose” who frequented their educational facilities.

The Legislature should adopt these two payments, guaranteed to set extra smiles on children’s faces.

Michael Petit
Portland

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