Lack of access to dental care is a national disgrace.  An estimated 130 million Americans have no coverage for dental care.  In Vermont, only four in 10 kids have a regular dentist.  (And we're the best in the country.) The situation for adults is even worse. That is why Sen. Bernie Sanders supports dental centers in schools. It's also why he also encourages dental practices run by community health centers, like a new facility he visited Wednesday in Rutland, Vt., one of nine throughout the state. To help shine a spotlight on the state of dental care in America, Sanders' Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging is looking into the issue. As the panel's chairman, he is seeking information about your experiences with dental care. 

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The senator would appreciate hearing from you about your experiences, and those of your family and friends.  "The overwhelming demand by Vermonters for dental service is proof that people are struggling to pay basic expenses - for fuel, housing, and groceries --  and too many people can't afford the added expense of taking care of their teeth," Sanders said. "We must continue to fight to ensure dental care is available for all people, regardless of income or ability to pay." 

FQHC Dental Clinics in Vermont 

• In 2000, there was only one dental practice at a federally-qualified health center (Island Pond), which saw about 1,000 patients.

• In 2011, in addition to this Rutland facility, there are 8 other dental practices run by health centers (Island Pond, Plainfield, Hardwick, Richford, Morrisville, 2 in Burlington, and now Ludlow, which opened in June).

• In the past 7 years, the number of Vermonters who have gained access to dental care has more than doubled.Health centers provided dental care to about 9,500 Vermonters in 2004. Now, almost 25,000 Vermonters obtain dental care at health centers.

• The number of dentists working at health centers has increased from 5 to 17 in the last 7 years.

• In addition, there are now 4 school-based dental clinics in Bennington, Burlington, Swanton, and Tunbridge and a dental van that visits schools throughout central Vermont. These clinics provide dental services to about 2,000 children who did not have access to a private dentist.