Health
Speaker Donovan calls on governor, legislative leaders to witness "overwhelming need" at free Middletown dental clinic
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Mar 12, 2010 - 7:28 PM

House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) this afternoon called on Governor Rell and legislative leaders to visit the free dental clinic in Middletown to witness firsthand "the overwhelming need for dental care by thousands of our state's residents."

"Anyone who sees what's going on here couldn't possibly deny that so many in our state need access to affordable health and dental care," Speaker Donovan said during a visit to the Aetna Building in Middletown this afternoon. Thousands of people began lining up last night for free dental care sponsored by the Connecticut Mission of Mercy.

Speaker Donovan said Governor Rell is calling for suspension of non-emergency dental services for adults in her most recent deficit mitigation plan, and he noted that very few children attended today's clinic. "That's because the state has partnered with the dental community through HUSKY and school-based health clinics that serve children's dental needs," he said. "If we can do it for the children, we should be able to do it for adults."

"Mission of Mercy's yearly clinics highlight the fact that access to life saving oral health care is out of reach for many in our state. There is an urgent need for legislators at both the federal and state levels to move forward on comprehensive health reform that provides access to everyone," Speaker Donovan added. "Connecticut Mission of Mercy provides a vital service to Connecticut residents who don't have access to dental care and I commend the efforts of the Connecticut State Dental Association, its partners and volunteers that are making these two days of free access to oral health care possible."

State Rep. Betsy Ritter (D-Waterford & Montville) was among several legislators who also visited the clinic earlier today. She said, "This is the second year I've had the opportunity to visit the Mission of Mercy dental clinic and the size of the crowd waiting for care shows that the these services couldn't come at a more vital time for families in our state. In addition to delivering desperately needed care to hundreds of residents, the Mission and its dedicated volunteers make a profound statement on the status of access to dental care in Connecticut."

The clinic is seeing patients on a first come, first served
basis again tomorrow, March 13th, beginning at 8 a.m.

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