Dental safety net clinics provide dental care in community-based nonprofit settings for Virginians who are uninsured or who are enrolled in Medicaid, FAMIS or FAMIS Plus.

The following is a list of resources for dental safety net providers:

Discussion Lists: An index of resources, including online discussion groups, oral health listservs and e-newsletters.

Job Postings: A link to the Virginia Dental Association's website which maintains an extensive list of dental opportunities in Virginia.

Statistics: An index of national, state and local demographic and health statistics.

Practice Start-Up and Management:  Helpful resources specific to operational issues for dental safety net clinics.

VHCF and Tooth Talk Resources: User-friendly best practices on a wide variety of issues specific to the dental safety net.

Fundraising Resources: An index of community foundations and organizations, as well as specific grants and funding opportunities relevant to the Virginia dental safety net.

Loan Repayment:  Comprehensive information about opportunities for dental professionals to have their loans repaid in return for a commitment to serving the dental safety net.

Association Links/Policy Positions:  Links to organizations and associations with missions or membership related to the dental safety net.

	There are clear links between chronic oral infections and other health problems including diabetes, heart disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
	People with periodontal disease are 1.5-to-2 times more likely to suffer a fatal heart attack and nearly three times more likely to suffer a stroke.
	Even though dental caries (tooth decay) is largely preventable, it remains the most common chronic disease of children aged 5 to 17 years — four times more common than asthma.
	For every child without medical insurance there are 2.6 children without dental insurance.
	Dental disease results in 250,000 lost school hours each year.
	Chronic oral infections can foster the development of clogged arteries and blood clots.
	Periodontitis can make diabetes worse.  Diabetic patients with severe periodontitis have greater difficulty maintaining normal blood sugar levels.
	A thorough oral examination can detect tooth decay as well as signs of nutritional deficiencies, systemic diseases, immune disorders, injuries and some cancers.
	Oral health is integral to general health.

Sources: "Oral Health in America," U.S. Surgeon General's Report (2000);  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2010, vol II. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: US Gov Printing Office, 2002:21-11 to 21-15