California Legislature Pushes Dentistry For All Socialism

The Democrats have controlled the California Legislature for decades now and with a Democratic Governor in Jerry Brown, have control of state government. While the Dems in the legislature would love health care, including dentistry for all, there remains a problem - Who will pay for it, in a bankrupt state?

This is a good piece about what the Dems are doing to force the taxpayers of California to pay even more in taxes for a dental socialism scheme.

Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed shifting hundreds of thousands of residents eligible for both Medi-Cal and Medicare into managed care plans, and claims that the moves will save the state close to $700 million. Brown has proposed authorizing the Department of Health Care Services to submit a demonstration project proposal to the federal government this spring, which would shift thousands of people who are eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal, into managed or coordinated care plans in at least four counties, eventually expanding to 10 more counties.

Steinberg has his own answer to Brown’s plan: “I am seeking timely resolution to improving these vital dental services to enable patients to obtain the prevention and treatment services they deserve,” he wrote in the letter.  “Furthermore, the significant issues identified here raise the overarching concern of whether or not the state is prepared and equipped to proceed with any Medi-Cal managed care program expansions this year as proposed in the Governor’s January budget.”

Where many voters disagree is with the use of the word “deserve.” While government is expected to provide basic services which individuals cannot provide for themselves — roads, water, utilities — expanding government into the health care for all is a growing bone of contention.

There has been NO adult dentistry medicaid (DentiCal) for the past two years in California. There is NO funding with the state's chronic structural budget deficits.

How does anyone think the California Legislature will be able to expand services for dentistry for children as mandated in ObamaCare? The state of California cannot afford the programs it has in place now.

Dental socialism in California?

Dentistry for all?

Not anytime soon...

Clifton O. Dummett, D.D.S. R.I.P.

Cross Posted from Smilesforalifetime.com Blog

Dr. Clifton O. Dummett

I am very sorry that I missed Dr. Dummett's passing a few days ago.

Clifton O. Dummett, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, passed away at the age of 92 on September 7, 2011.

Born in Georgetown, British Guyana on May 20, 1919, Dummett studied at Howard and Roosevelt Universities before earning his DDS from Northwestern University in 1941. He went on to earn masters degrees in periodontics and public health from Northwestern and the University of Michigan, respectively.

Before arriving at USC in 1966, Dummett became Dean of the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in 1947 (at age 28, then the youngest dean ever in the U.S.) before working with the Veterans Administration in Tuskegee, Alabama. In 1955, Dummett enlisted in the Air Force, serving for 24 years; upon his retirement in 1979 he had earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was awarded the Certificate of Merit. An unyielding advocate for social justice and equality for all people, it was his resolution in the American Dental Association House of Delegates that led to the lifting of restrictive membership within the organization. He also served the National Dental Association for 22 years as editor in chief and authored the book that recounted the history of the organization.

At the Ostrow School of Dentistry, Dummett taught dental history and led the Community Dentistry department. An internationally acclaimed author and researcher, he wrote hundreds of articles on dental history, public health issues, social and community issues, and more. His perspective on the importance of dentists ability to be sensitive to the needs of all people was at first controversial, but was gradually embraced by dental institutions throughout the nation with USC emerging as a leader in the field of Community Dentistry.

I will never forget Dr. Dummett as he welcomed me and my fellow students at USC Dental School to his Community Dentistry class.

"Good morning, doctors."

An outstanding Professor of Dentistry, a warm human being and a credit to our profession.

Dr. Dummett, Rest In Peace and thank you for making a difference in all of our lives.

American Indians and Dentist Recruitment

George Blue Spruce became the first American Indian dentist in the United States in 1956. Since earning his degree, Blue Spruce has worked to recruit American Indians into health-care professions

Examining dentist shortage and recruitment efforts in American Indian communities.

The Arizona Republic on Monday examined efforts to boost the number of American Indians in health professions, particularly dental care. There are fewer than 150 American Indian dentists in the U.S., or about one for every 32,000 American Indians, Carol Grant, director of American Indian Health Professions at A.T. Still University, said.

In addition, a report released in 2000 by the American Dental Association found that tooth-decay rates are four times higher among American Indian children than the general population, Frank Ayers, dean of student affairs at Creighton University's School of Dentistry, said. The key to addressing such disparities is to recruit dental students from the American Indian community, he added. "If a student has a strong tribal affiliation when you bring them into the profession, they are much more likely to return to the reservation and help their people," Ayers said. Only about 30 American Indian students on average enroll in dental schools each year, according to Ayers.

George Blue Spruce, the nation's first American Indian dentist and an assistant dean at the university, travels across the country encouraging young American Indians to pursue careers in health care. A.T. Still University has more American Indian dentists in training than any other school in the country, mostly because of Blue Spruce's efforts, according to the Republic.

I have had the opportunity to work on American Indian Reservations in California but as of yet have not met an American Indian dentist or other Native American health professional at the health facility.

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California Governor Schwarzenegger and Legislature Abandon Health Care Reform

And, why not? The GOP Governor and Democrat dominated California Legislature will simply wait for the Obama Administration.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature have abandoned any serious attempt at health care reform in California. Instead, they're waiting for President Barack Obama to push national reform through Congress - but that raises the question: How well will the president's concepts address this state's particular health care nightmare?

We can't leave the answer to chance. The state has a disastrous budget outlook and a history of doing a poor job of capturing federal Medicaid dollars for health care needs. Schwarzenegger, the Legislature and business leaders need to get into this game, engaging California's congressional delegation and helping to shape the nation's new health care policy. What works in other states may not work as well here.

Adult Denti-Cal or Dental Medicaid for the poor has already been eliminated by the Schwarzenegger Administration as being a cost the Calfironia budget cannot sustain.

What makes anyone think that the federal government will do it any cheaper or expand services?

Again, it comes down to expense and who is going to pay for the dental treatment of others - poor or otherwise. The federal government and the Obama Administration in particular is no panacea.

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California Recession Leads More Patients to Public Dental Clinics

More patients will be turning to California public hospital emergency rooms as the state's dental care program for poor adults ends July 1, 2009.

In the meantime, they can be seen in California's public health clinics.

Working, but without dental insurance, a 20-year-old Vallejo man was in such pain from a bad tooth he rushed to a hospital emergency room.

Referred to the county dental clinic, the man could not open his mouth, and was probably within days of dying from an infection, said Dr. Franklin Woo, who had him admitted into a hospital.

With such patients a regular occurrence, the dental clinic is on the front lines of the recession's fall-out, said Woo, the county's chief of dental services.

With the economic downturn, the county clinic is seeing an influx of people who have lost their jobs, health insurance and homes, and need dental services, Woo said.

"We have no way to meet the demand," said Lynn Bramwell, county family health services administrator.

Some say they have nowhere else to go since most private dentists won't see them unless they pay for services up front, Woo said.

There has been a dramatic increase in dental patients in severe pain, with cheeks swollen to the size of oranges, who are referred from emergency rooms, he said.

Two years ago, the clinic got one patient every two or three months referred from a hospital emergency room. But, these days, at least two or three come in every day, Woo said.

But while the demand is growing, the clinic is at capacity and must refer patients to private dentists or put them on a waiting list, Bramwell said.

California public dentistry for poor adults is uncertain at best. Even if federal economic stimulus dollars are available for a temporary fix will the California economy be able to sustain the costs in the out years?

Stay tuned......

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