Reps. Darlene Hooley (D-Ore.) and Barbara Cubin (R-Wyo.) introduced a bill last week that would direct the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to refer pregnant and parenting women affected by Meth use for dental services. The bill (H.R. 6901), which has already passed the House, would not add new money to meth treatment or prevention.

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The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) last week awarded 16 grants totaling almost $2.7 million to states to increase access to oral health care among medically underserved Americans. The grants are part of HRSA's Grants to States to Support Oral Health Workforce Activities program. The initiative develops dental disease prevention efforts in communities designated as dental health professional shortage areas in 16 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. For a list of grant recipients, visit the HRSA News Room .

In addition to the $2.7 million, HRSA also announced that it had awarded 41 grants totaling $5.8 million in support of oral health care for underserved HIV-positive populations and training for dental providers. Treatment supported by the grants includes the full range of oral health services: diagnostic and preventive care, oral health education, oral medicine and surgery.

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