Newark - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) attended the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) event "Give Kids a Smile" today to discuss the importance of dental health and his legislation to spur bro-bono dental care in underserved communities. The Senator joined Dr. Cecile A. Feldman, Dean of the New Jersey Dental School; and dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants, who performed pro-bono dental services at the event for over 350 children.

"Every year, countless kids don't get a chance to have a healthy smile or even a chance at minimal dental care because of a lack of coverage," said Senator Menendez. "In underserved communities children go without any dental care, risking not only their smile, but their physical health as well. That is simply unacceptable. That's why I worked to include mandatory dental benefits for eligible kids in the reauthorization of CHIP, the Children's Health Insurance Program. It's unconscionable that we would let children in the CHIP Program go without necessary dental care. That's also why I've introduced the Pro Bono Medically Recommended Dental Care Act that establishes a competitive grant program for nonprofit organizations to coordinate pro bono dental care for low-income and disabled people on Medicare, Medicaid, or eligible for CHIP."

The legislation would invest $2 million a year in grant funding for dental health. The investment would allow dentists to provide upwards of $13 million in services to more than 5,000 people. Medically necessary dental care goes beyond a yearly check-up; it also addresses dental conditions that have caused or adversely affect a medical condition. Patients with Diabetes or renal disease can be severely affected by dental problems. The elderly, the disabled and low-income children can greatly benefit from this legislation.

The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health insurance for low income children whose parents cannot afford to buy private insurance and earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid. This program provides coverage to 6 million children across the nation.

"Give Kids A Smile" is celebrated each year on the first Friday in February. The "Give Kids A Smile" program in New Jersey is the culmination of the efforts of several different organizations under the direction of the New Jersey Dental Association. Each February, the entire dental community, both public and private sectors, comes together to ensure the delivery of care to thousands of underprivileged children who otherwise may not be able to afford or access care. Services rendered include oral hygiene instruction, screenings, cleanings, x-rays, fillings, extractions, fluoride treatments, stainless steel crowns, and much more. Volunteers work to ensure the program is fun and educational and that it gives many children a great first impression of visits to the dentists. All procedures are 100% free.

The full text of Pro Bono Medically Recommended Dental Care can be read here: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/gpoxmlc112/s1878_is.xml

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