Federal money due to expand dental clinic: Rutland Herald Online

Rutland town and city water departments add fluoride chemicals in a failed effort to reduce tooth decay:

Sen. Bernard Sanders announced Wednesday that $95,351 is coming to Rutland to expand a federally funded dental clinic that last year received almost 5,000 visits from 1,013 patients in the region — 90 percent of whom were on Medicaid or uninsured.

"The lack of dental care in this country is a huge problem," Sanders said. "That's one reason why I pushed so hard for this money."

For those who use the clinic, the expansion should translate into more timely appointments. Presently, there is a 4-1/2-month waiting list for the popular clinic, Whitmer said.

"As great as the need is for medical service, the need for dental care is dire," Whitmer said commenting on a dentist shortage seen nationwide.