State lawmakers examine dental programs for the elderly

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma lawmakers hope to take a bite out of the cost of dental programs for the elderly.<br/><br/>Representative Thad Balkman of Norman says administrative duplication may be reducing

Friday, October 28th 2005, 6:39 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma lawmakers hope to take a bite out of the cost of dental programs for the elderly.

Representative Thad Balkman of Norman says administrative duplication may be reducing the effectiveness of two state-funded programs providing dental care to the elderly.

Officials from the Dental for the Disabled and Elderly in Need of Treatment, or D-DENT, program and the Eastern Oklahoma Donated Dental Services program spoke before a state House subcommittee Thursday.

The groups serve the disabled and poor elderly by donating dental services. Hundreds of dentists volunteer their services.

Last year, D-DENT received more than $136,000 in state funding and provided about $1.7-million in donated dental services.