BECKLEY, WV—Senator Jay Rockefeller visited a free dental health screening for children before convening a panel of oral health stakeholders from across the state as part of National Children's Dental Health Month.
"Our West Virginia kids deserve to grow up healthy and strong. And early dental care is an essential part of their growth and development of speech, language and behavior," Rockefeller said. "We should all be encouraged by the progress West Virginia has made in oral health care over the past few years, but there is still work to do. Although it can be a challenge to get to a dentist and pay for dental care, our families now have help."
Rockefeller visited a Head Start screening held by Dr. Eckley and Dr. Fizer. In West Virginia, Head Start serves about 7,500 children, who have an oral health assessment before entering the program. Head Start partners with providers and parents in providing dental screenings for kids.
Rockefeller joined dentists and oral health advocates to help connect West Virginia children with oral health providers and raise awareness of the importance of good dental care as a part of overall health. Rockefeller was a vocal champion and leading proponent of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Act, signed into law in February of 2009. The landmark legislation required CHIP programs to include dental coverage in their benefit packages. It also expanded existing dental benefits.
"I'm thrilled with what we accomplished with CHIP reauthorization three years ago," Rockefeller said. "Today, more children than before are seeing a dentist, and that's just such great news.
Rockefeller added, "We must build upon the success with the CHIP program and work to see that all children receive oral health care. Access to dental care is not a luxury. It is a necessity that can change a child's life. Each and every child deserves this care so that they can reach their full potential."
