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Bluegrass Politics: Beshear launches dental health initiative for E. Ky. children
Herald-Leader's Bluegrass Politics
Beshear Launches Dental Health Initiative For E. Ky., Children
Jack Brammer
October 13, 2009
http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2009/10/13/beshear-launches-dental-health-initiative-for-e-ky-children/#comments
FRANKFORT — Gov. Steve Beshear announced Tuesday that his administration will launch a three-year, $2.2-million initiative to improve dental health for children in Eastern Kentucky.
“With this announcement, I have made improving Kentuckians’ poor dental health a priority, especially when it comes to our children,” Beshear said at a Capitol news conference.
Beshear, who stood with 13 children from Westridge Elementary School in Franklin County, said more than $1.6 million will come from federal grants and the rest primarily from in-kind contributions such as staff from the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
The program’s initial focus, Beshear said, will be on creating a training curriculum to teach Kentucky dentists effective techniques in working with young children.
Most dentists not specializing in pediatric dentistry currently receive limited training in working with patients younger than age 6, who pose special treatment challenges, Beshear said.
Once the curriculum is finalized, a series of seminars and Web-based training modules will be offered, and mentors will work with local practitioners, Beshear said.
The governor and health officials plan to visit several communities in Eastern Kentucky Wednesday to discuss the new plan and its goals.
