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Statement of Barry Liebowitz, M.D., President of Doctors
Council October 27, 2006

The Department of Health’s proposal to slash the school dental program is difficult to comprehend given Mayor Bloomberg’s record as a public health advocate.  Closing 9 school dental clinics, reducing the hours at another 25 dental clinics and reducing dental care during the summer is not a case of “doing more with less.”  Preventive care is the key to keeping our children healthy and depriving them of access to dental care will result in serious health consequences.  With a budget of $1.5 billion, surely the Department of Health can find a way to achieve its PEG program that does not put children at risk.