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March 06, 2007
Headline: Untreated Toothache Leads to Death
In today's headlines, articles are focusing on how financial problems in Medicaid led to a child's death.
ABC News: Toothache leads to boy's death, Tragedy underscores the need for better dental services among U.S. children (by Laura Owings): http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=2925584&page=1
"A simple toothache can be fatal. That is the sobering message a 12-year-old Maryland boy left when, after his dental problems went untreated, he succumbed to a severe brain infection."
The news is relating the death to problems in Medicaid that make it difficult for both the parent and dentist to provide care.
"In fact, experts say the low rates Medicaid offers to cover dental services are less than what it costs the doctor to do the actual treatment."
Posted by pfa at March 6, 2007 09:07 AM