I have been waiting for dental care for poor adults for 36 years. I have a very good example of one of the reasons it is a good idea.

I had some tenants who were on Aid to Families with Dependent Children. The mother had a toothache. It needed to be pulled. She was out of money and would have to wait until the next month for the $50 she needed to have it pulled.

No problem. She called an ambulance every day and went to the emergency room at Stephens Memorial Hospital for a pain shot.

How much money did the state pay for ambulances, and ER visits, and shots?

At the time I thought they would have been a lot wiser to pay the dentist. I never changed my mind.

Alice Flanders, Lewiston