USC School Of Dentistry Speaks Out Against President Bush's Veto On Children's Healthcare Bill, USA

Main Category: Dentistry
Also Included In: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 04 Oct 2007 - 15:00 PDT

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The recent veto by President W. Bush of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) profoundly compromises California's poorest children, the most vulnerable group in our communities", says Harold Slavkin, Dean of the USC School of Dentistry. The greatest obstacle to healthcare is not availability, but affordability and accessibility. The greatest obstacle is poverty.

Tooth decay remains the most prevalent, chronic disease among children in this country. It is five times more common than asthma and can be just as debilitating and even fatal. In LA County, cavities and oral infection are the number one reason children are missing school. According to Slavkin, "We must break the cycle of this disease that is robbing our children not only of their beautiful smiles but a healthy body and in one case that we know of…the life of a 12 year old boy.

"This bill is crucial for the health of America's children and is a fitting tribute to the memory of Deamonte Driver, the Maryland boy who died earlier this year when his untreated tooth abscess led to a brain infection" adds Slavkin. Leaders in Washington have the opportunity to offer our children the safety net they deserve to succeed and live a healthy life. S-Chip will move the nation closer to the day when no children will suffer with-let alone die-from untreated dental disease.

Harold Slavkin is Dean of the USC School of Dentistry. He is one of the leading authorities on craniofacial development and genetic birth defects. Served as Director, National Institute of Dental and Cranial Facial Research in Washington DC, one of the National Institutes of Health(NIH). Under his leadership, the NIDCR served as a lead agency on the first-ever Surgeon General Report on Oral Health released in June 2000.

USC School of Dentistry