Children’s Dental Access Bill Moves Forward

Jenny Kattlove, Director of Strategic Health Initiatives at the Children’s Partnership, responds to the Assembly Health Committee vote in support of AB 1174, which would help prevent and treat dental disease among a largely underserved population that currently goes without routine care. The final vote count was 17-0.

“Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease and unmet health care need of children in California. With today’s vote, the Assembly Health Committee took a critical step toward breaking down the barriers that impede countless California children and others from receiving the dental care they need.” AB 1174 would enact policies to ensure the successful Virtual Dental Home demonstration project could be replicated and sustained by changing workforce policies and requiring Medi-Cal to pay for care provided through the advanced technology used in the program.”

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