Virginia governor candidates hit on oral health

Dentistry rarely gets the attention of political candidates, but in Virginia those campaigning for governor have all promised to help the state's oral health, according to the Washington Post.

Brian Moran, a former delegate to the state General Assembly, describes visiting a volunteer clinic in Wise County, the newspaper reported. He has "called for expanding government dental coverage and offering incentives to providers to stay in rural areas."

Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe reportedly quoted a voter in southwest Virginia as saying, "Folks shouldn't have to wait a year for that kind of care."

State Sen. R. Creigh Deeds has already cosponsored legislation to allow hygienists to provide prescribed care without a dentist present, the Post reported, and he supports loan forgiveness plans for dentists and dental hygienists in underserved areas.

When the Post asked where they would get the money for this expansion, Deeds had no response. McAuliffe said money would come from "growing the economy."

Moran said he would "seek available federal money and generate funds elsewhere by seeking to ban trans fats in schools, which would save on long-term healthcare costs and allow money to be spent elsewhere." His spokesman commented that dental care saves money because it reduces other health costs.

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