Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s announcement on May 5, 2009 that she will cut Medicaid funds for low-income adults who need dental care has triggered widespread outrage among dental professionals who argue such moves ultimately end up costing taxpayers more.

Granholm proposed cutting $2.9 million from the adult dental Medicaid program, which was among some $304 million in cuts designed to help shore up a 2009 budget deficit pegged at $1.3 billion. The cuts begin July 1 and continue through the fiscal year, which ends Sept.30.

"Undoubtedly, these are painfully tough economic times, but dental care for our most vulnerable citizens should be maintained – for moral as well as financial reasons,” said Dr. William Wright, president of the Michigan Dental Association.

Wright argues that eliminating the adult dental Medicaid program will merely increase emergency room and other triage costs, which taxpayers ultimately pay for. 

“Patients who need to relieve oral pain will be left with no options to receive care. When a Medicaid patient visits the emergency room for oral health care, the cause of the problem is not treated. This leaves the patient vulnerable to more severe problems, which ultimately become more costly to treat,” said Wright.

His concerns were echoed by Dr. Thomas Veryser, executive director of Michigan Community Dental Clinics, an organization that services Medicaid patients in public health clinics statewide.

“Dental disease is almost entirely preventable,” said Veryser.  “And to the extent that we can help alleviate human pain and suffering – not to mention keep people out of expensive emergency rooms – the fiscally and morally responsible move is to restore the adult dental Medicaid program.”

The Michigan Dental Association recommends anyone who would like to see adult dental Medicaid restored to contact their legislator. Links to the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate appear below:

• Michigan House of Representatives
• Michigan Senate