President’s Message

Access to dental care for low income individuals and families has been an ongoing struggle for many years. I remember as a child back in the 70’s my parents would take me to a public health department an hour away from my house just to have my teeth cleaned. Now it is 40 years later and people are still having difficulty seeking preventive dental treatment. What’s wrong with this picture?

Although dental hygienists can provide preventive care without the supervision of a dentist in limited practice settings, the elderly, physically and cognitively challenged, and those with no means of transportation are still finding it very difficult or impossible to receive the preventive care they need and deserve. I dream of one day being able to reach out to these individuals and treat them in their own home settings, similar to treating children in their school settings. This could provide continuous care to improve oral health which then results in improved systemic health. It would provide continuous care to monitor these individual’s home care and remind them that oral health care is just as important as bathing on a regular basis. Financially, direct care by hygienists would decrease medical insurance claims and provide a cost efficient way to improve access to oral health care. That’s what I wish for, that is my vision what is yours? I would like to know.

The WDHA has made great strides for improved oral health and the profession of dental hygiene over the past decade. We pursued a change in the law which allows hygienists to practice independently in three settings making it easier to provide direct preventive care to needy citizens. A few years following that change in the statutes, the WDHA lead efforts to certify dental hygienists as Medical Assistance providers in Wisconsin in order to enhance access and services to needy patients. These and other achievements occurred because of the hard work and dedication of WDHA members and public health hygienists who saw the need and did something about it.

Access to preventive dental care to all who need it .…… I am happy and very proud to be the leader of an organization so determined to want to provide this.

What is your vision?

What do you dream about?

I welcome your insight, comments, and concerns.

Do not hesitate to get in touch with me and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Sharri Crowe, RDH, BSDH, MS

WDHA President 2011 - 2012

scrowe@new.rr.com

(920)740-9565