Despite the American Dental Association's acknowledgement that lack of dental care is widespread, "But tens of millions still do not, owing to such factors as poverty, geography, lack of oral health education, language or cultural barriers, fear of dental care and the belief that people who are not in pain do not need dental care,” millions still suffer immensely from lack of dental care.

Despite the Affordable Care Act's provisions for children to be able to access dental care, millions suffer from lack of dental care. And adults are out of luck unless a kindly local dentist agrees to see them.

Three Members of Congress are dentists. They, of all people, should be pushing for greater access to dental care for millions of adults and children unable to afford it.