Beshear launches dental health initiative for E. Ky. children
Gov. Steve Beshear
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.
–Jack Brammer
Filed Under: David Williams • Featured • Mitch McConnell • State Government • Steve Beshear • US Senate Race
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This is great! Finally some investment in society instead of the typical self-indulgence we constantly hear about where everyone is out for themselves as if they are the royal family.
It drives me nuts that we can consistently afford $5 Starbucks coffees, multiple trips to Destin and Myrtle Beach and have no time to make society a better place.
We are the most ME society in the world and this just shows why government sometimes has to be the BIGGER person since we are totally incapable of not attempting to IMPRESS OUR NEIGHBORS.
Way to go!!!
It’s great the Gov. Beshear is taking this lead; however a couple of years ago all state employees lost their dental insurance because they were told not enough workers use it. Most state workers make slightly above the 200% poverty level and their children are suffering due to a lack of dental care.
I don’t believe this .. . .
Our state government actually does something that benefits those with less fortunate economic income.
But, part of the problem is not money.
It’s lack of discipline and that my friends if the real problem with our society today.
Since WW2 we have raised a population of many young people just look out for themselves.
I hope this program works because there is real need here.
$2.2 million over three years? First thing he needs to do is find out how to prevent parents from putting Mountain Dew in baby bottles.
Perhaps if the state (medicaid) would reimburse dentists better for their services, more would accept medicaid and see the patients.
What about the children in the other parts of KY?? my nieces and nephews live in Central Ky and don’t have dental insurance??!! i worked in Florence and we had dental day in the OR once a week for children whose teeth were so bad they would have to put them to sleep to work on them… sadly enough,, a lot of them were brothers and sisters.
really agreed with what they were saying and thought I would share it with you all…
was surprised by this so thought I would share it with my readers…
Sometimes you come across someones info taht you just need to share…
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Sometimes you come across someones info taht you just need to share…
Great blog entry, head over and check it out…
Sometimes you come across someones info taht you just need to share…
Great blog entry, head over and check it out…
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Debt Settlement…
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