Expansion of the Healthy Kids Dental Program by four counties has been postponed until Feb. 1, 2012, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health’s Medical Services Administration.

In remarks made at the launch of a major health initiative to improve the health of Michigan residents, Gov. Rick Snyder today highlighted the connection between good oral health and overall health, and praised several oral health initiatives sponsored by the dental profession as part of his plan to make Michigan residents healthier.

A Howell man doing business as Accent Denture Center in Howell has been barred from treating patients after a judge found him guilty of illegally practicing dentistry. The Michigan Dental Association filed the lawsuit to stop Douglas Sowkin, who is not a licensed dentist, from practicing after receiving numerous complaints from patients.

Major improvements in the dental safety net will not occur until national and state leaders place a greater value on oral health, according to the American Dental Association's report, "Breaking Down Barriers to Oral Health for All Americans: Repairing the Tattered Safety Net."

Michigan must get serious about meeting the oral health needs of its most vulnerable residents by creating a coordinated system to address the problem, Michigan Dental Association President Connie Verhagen, D.D.S., M.S., said today.

Good news! The Healthy Kids Dental Program will be expanding to cover four additional counties in Michigan, bringing the number of Healthy Kids Dental counties up from 61 to 65 of the 83 counties in the state.

The Michigan Dental Association has received some calls and e-mails regarding the recent closing of the Allcare Dental and Dentures offices in Michigan. Here is an update and information if you or someone you know was  a patient at an Allcare Dental office.

The Michigan Dental Association supports the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel's call for continued research into amalgam fillings, while reassuring dental patients that the FDA's official position remains that amalgam is safe and effective. 

Click here to find a list of community dental programs that accept Medicaid or offer other assistance.  The Michigan Dental Association does not have a list of private practice dentists that may be accepting Medicaid.  If you have questions on your dental benefits coverage, please contact the Medicaid Patient Hotline at 800-642-3195.

Looking to help more Michigan residents get access to dental care, the 30-member Michigan Access to Oral Health Care Work Group today issued a first-of-its-kind report outlining concrete strategies to help make sure people aren’t forced to go without dental care. The report, “A United Voice for Oral Health,” was prepared by Lansing’s Public Sector Consultants and reflects the thinking of the broadest group yet assembled to tackle the access problem.

The Michigan Dental Association today condemned the needless death of a mentally impaired woman from northern Michigan who was unable to have her dangerously infected teeth extracted before the state’s July 1 cutoff of adult dental Medicaid benefits.

Michigan’s Donated Dental Services Program was honored at the state Capitol June 9, 2009 for providing $10 million in dental care to thousands of Michigan’s elderly, disabled and disadvantaged citizens. Donated Dental Services has helped 3,755 people over the past 14 years who otherwise never would have received care.

It's never too early to start teaching the importance of oral health care. That's why the Michigan Dental Association has put together a special section for teachers containing a variety of fun activities and helpful information to spread the word about proper oral health care.

Fall is usually the time of year when employers offer open enrollment periods for dental plans. Do you know how to make an educated decision about a dental plan? Are you comfortable with the terminology you read? If you are confronted with dental plan options, the Michigan Dental Association can help you understand the sometimes complex area of dental benefit plans.

As a member of the Michigan Dental Association, your dentist has committed to uphold the ethical standards of the profession. The Michigan Dental Association, through its professional peer review system, stands ready to help you straighten out and solve any dilemmas between you and your dentist. MDA members believe it is their responsibility to safeguard the public's oral health through their unique Peer Review system.