On the recordSeptember 26, 2011
Yes, I completely agree, Senator Bingaman. In fact our colleagues on the Finance Committee also overwhelmingly agreed that children must have access to oral health care, which is so critical to their overall well-being. We talked about the story of Deamonte Driver, a 12-year-old Maryland boy who died from a brain infection caused by tooth decay. He couldn't get access to an $80 dental procedure that would have saved his life. When his condition got worse, he ended up enduring two emergency surgeries, weeks of hospital care, and $250,000 worth of medical bills--but it was all too late. Stories like this remind us of the importance of dental care for children, which is why the pediatric element of the essential health benefits package expressly includes oral care.
