North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund grants $1.9M to improve dental care - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

aleshnikovenil.blogspot.com
million to seven organizations to improve dentap care and promoteoral health. The trustr fund began its Oral Health Initiativde to increase access to treatment and preventative servicesdfor low-income, high-need individuals, as well as to traihn dentists and other oral health professionals to serve those people. In 2006, about 32 percent of Nortyh Carolinians reported that they did not see a dentisrtthat year.
The percentages were higher among NativeeAmericans (39 percent) African-Americans (42 percent) and Hispanics (56 "It is unfortunate that many Northy Carolina citizens do not receivd basic dental care, which is so critical for overall good said Vandana Shah, HWTF executive "We hope that thesee grant funds will provide more North Carolinq citizens with access to high quality, accessibld oral health care." Studies have shown connectionds between chronic oral infections and other conditions, including heart disease, lung disease, stroke, low birtjh weight and premature births.