Thousands of Wisconsin children and adults suffer from untreated dental problems. Studies show poor oral health may be linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pre-term childbirth and oral cancer. Oral health is critical to overall health, and ensuring residents have proper dental care is important to our state economically and socially.

Dentists are doctors of oral health. They have the training and education to relieve pain and make people well — but they can't solve the state's dental crisis alone. The Wisconsin Dental Association's 3,000 members are committed to working with key policy leaders to find a solution. As part of that effort, the WDA has identified positive, viable "Healthy Choices" to remove barriers to dental care for Wisconsin residents.

Policymakers and dentists now have an opportunity to work together on these "Healthy Choices" to improve oral health — and overall health — in our state.

Healthy Choices for Wisconsin:

• Update the Wisconsin Dental Practice Act to ensure more residents receive the care they need
• Encourage early prevention to stop dental problems before they start
• Develop incentives for new dentists to settle in underserved areas
• Better support Wisconsin's dental assistance programs
• Remove dental services from the Southeast Wisconsin Medicaid HMO program

For more details about these proposals and to view the complete brochure, click here.