Dental Branch Dean Flaitz to Join
Committee for Children's Initiatives
HOUSTON–(Oct. 16, 2007)–Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., dean of The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, has been selected to serve on the Frew Advisory Committee of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S.
The 15-person committee will help the agency determine how to use new funding to make it easier for children with Medicaid coverage to get medical and dental checkups. The Texas Legislature approved $150 million for the fiscal years 2008-2009 for strategic initiatives during the budget period to expand children's access to Medicaid services.
The new funding is part of a $1.8 billion plan in response to the Frew v. Hawkins lawsuit over utilization of preventive services in children's Medicaid.
“The Texas Medicaid program covers more than 2 million children – or one out of every three kids in Texas,” said Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins. “It’s important that the families of these children understand the services provided by Medicaid and know how to get checkups and dental care to help children stay healthy.
Among the committee members are a variety of health care experts from all over the state, four of which – including Flaitz – are dental health experts.
"I am interested in working with other pediatric health care providers to develop clinical research networks using both academic health care centers and private practitioners to identify best practices for managing the oral and general health needs of children, while evaluating the effectiveness and economic impact of early intervention oral health protocols on the overall health and development of children," said Flaitz.
The committee will advise HHSC on which strategic initiatives to pursue based on the guidance laid out in the House Bill 15, Section 19(d) passed in the 80th Legislature’s 2007regular session.