Dental care called a health care crisis | PressDemocrat.com

“Tooth decay is rampant. One third of all kids in school have visible decay,” she said.

"...almost no private practice dentists in the area will accept their coverage. At the same time, state budget cuts to dental programs and a recession that has left many local residents without private dental insurance has “pushed Sonoma County's fragile oral health ‘system' to the breaking point,” the report said.

The report highlights a number of factors that have led to the current troubles. Denti-Cal (Medi-Cal's dental program) no longer pays for adult dental treatment; Medicare does not cover routine dental care for the elderly; and most private practice dentists will not see children with Denti-Cal because of low reimbursement rates.

Tapping dentists in private care like Tomaszewskito do more to close the dental care gap is among the major goals of the task force report."

Dental care called a health care crisis | PressDemocrat.com