FEPEDA WAS a non-governmental umbrella organisation set up to represent associations of parents and friends of deaf and hard-of-hearing children at a European level. Its membership includes national and regional associations as well as smaller groups and individuals from all of the European Union, Central and Oriental Europe and the Community of Independent States.
The aim of FEPEDA WAS to advance the cause of deaf and
hard-of-hearing children, young people and their parents in all the relevant
institutions, organisations and agencies of Europe. Every single member plays
a part and we aim to encourage their co-operation, friendship, understanding
and the exchange of information and experience.
Oral Health America, an advocacy group, has released it's annual
"oral
health report card". The report card evaluates areas such as oral
health access, prevention and policies throughout the United States.
Due to stagnate improvements in many areas, the report card gave the
U.S. an overall grade of C. This is the second year in a row that the
country has received an overall grade of C for the nation's oral health.
The report examined both state and community based programs
that affect
oral health. Strategies to improve oral health care are a part of the
report also.
Information highlighted in the report includes:
*80% of tooth decay is found in 25% of children, with a significant
concentration in minority children.
*Dental sealants, a low cost way to combat tooth decay in children,
are
only found in 23% of youth under age 8 and in less than 10% of low
income minority children.
*For every child that lacks medical coverage, 2.6 lack dental
coverage.
Robert Klaus, President of Oral Health America, stated, "The
purpose of
the report card is to highlight the critical need for improved oral
health for many Americans. The reality is that each state and the
nation can make the honor roll by focusing resources and utilizing
effective disease prevention measures."