A University of Washington program called Dental Education in Care of Persons with Disabilities (DECOD) was narrowly spared from the state's budgetary chopping block, according to an article in the Seattle Times.
As Washington lawmakers struggle to close a $1.1 billion budget shortfall, it appeared that the program's $750,000 annual budget, sourced from the Department of Social and Health Services, would be slashed so severely that it could only provide emergency care.
But the program will receive funding at least through the end of June 2011, according to the Times. Even so, DECOD program director Glenn Govin, DDS, is concerned that they may not be so fortunate when the governor formally proposes cuts of more than $4.6 billion from the next two-year budget.
DECOD doctors provide treatment all over the state, often at group homes. Their patients are particularly challenging since many have conditions such as Down syndrome or brain injuries that render them unable to articulate what ails them.
In a typical year, they treat 1,700 patients. The potential budget cuts have compelled Dr. Govin and his team to set a goal of treating 4,000 people in the next six months.
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