Letters to the Editor | August 2009

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the Gazette’s letters column are those of the letter-writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Gazette’s editors. We also reserve the right to edit letters for space.

Dear Editor:

Without finding a sensible solution to funding dental programs, millions of Illinois families and children are at risk of suffering from both short-term and longterm health problems, including heart disease, stroke, pre-term childbirth and oral cancer.

As a dentist, I want to meet the dental care needs of every patient that walks through my doors, whether they’re backed by a major medical insurance provider, government-insured program, or paying out of pocket. But as more people lose jobs so goes their medical coverage, leaving even more families without a viable option to pay for much needed medical assistance.

This is why I fully support legislation backed by the Bridge to Healthy Smiles Coalition to impose a 5% sales tax on soda pop and other high sugar drinks to fund dental care. Reports show that prolonged exposure to “liquid sugar” can lead to significant enamel loss and the erosive potential of colas is ten times that of fruit juices in just the first three minutes of drinking.

Because Illinois has among the lowest funding rates in the nation for government-funded dental care, we are facing an oral-healthcare crisis where dental clinics have closed and services have sharply been reduced.

Modeled after a proposal introduced in New York, such a tax would generate millions of dollars in funding to increase dental reimbursement rates for oral health care. No one likes tax increases, but if this will help save a child’s beautiful smile and prevent long term health risks, then it’s worth every penny.

Mary J. Hayes, DDS
Pediatric Dental Health Associates, Ltd.
Chicago, IL
Spokesperson for Illinois State
Dental Society