PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Maine suffers from a shortage of dentists that affects far more than our charming smiles; at least that is the conclusion our friends at the Maine State Chamber of Commerce have come to. After listening to the facts and reading a recent report, “How lack of access to affordable dental care affects your business and Maine’s economy,” I completely agree.

Believe it or not, your oral health affects a whole lot more than just your teeth. There are actually many negative effects of bad dental health that can affect your entire body.

While you may not realize it, dental care effects health and can lead to various health problems if you are not careful to take care of your teeth, gums and mouth. Dealing with gum disease or even cavities can end up contributing to a variety of health problems that are quite serious, including diabetes, premature babies, respiratory problems and even stroke and heart disease.

Fifteen out of 16 Maine counties have been federallydesignated as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas, according to the Pew Center. This simply means there are not enough dental professionals to service the population. For example, in 2011, there were 1,361 people per active dentist in Cumberland County. At the same time, there were 4,018 people per active dentist in Somerset County.

Sagadahoc County is the only county with no DHPSA designation, yet we are not out of the woods. Not having enough dental professionals to provide care undermines our state’s economy, not only now but in the future.

How? Health care costs go up when the patients without access to a dentist seek urgent care in hospital emergency rooms, burdening an already strained system. It has also been documented workers with chronic problems are much more likely to take unscheduled absences from the workplace.

So what can we do to help?

There is a growing need to manage health costs and this requires a look at possible new policies to expand access to dental services for adults and children alike. That is why I am inviting all of you, businesses and community members alike, to join me at a panel discussion hosted by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce in Augusta on March 7, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The topic of the panel is “The Economics of the Lack of Dental Care,” and while this is a free event, we do ask that you R.S.V.P. To register, please email Amy Downing at adowning@mainechamber.org.

To download and read the report, “Oral Health In Maine,” go to www.mainechamber.org, click on “advocacy,” and select the link “The Economics of the Lack of Dental Care” in the left column.

UPCOMING EVENTS: The first of three Midcoast Women’s Networking Forums is March 7, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Moulton Union on the campus of Bowdoin College. Lois Skillings, president and CEO of Mid Coast Health Services, will speak about achieving a “Healthy Life Balance for Working Women.” The program includes lunch and the fee is $15/person. Reservations are required by calling 725-8797, ext. 1 or online at www.midcoastmaine.com.

A ribbon cutting and open house to celebrate the opening of the new clinic of Greater Brunswick Physical Therapy is March 12, 5 to 7 pm. The location is 101 Centre St. in downtown Bath.

March’s Chamber Regional Luncheon is March 14, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Kennebec Tavern and Marina, 119 Commercial St., Bath. Leigh Ingalls Saufley, chief justice, Maine Supreme Judicial Court, is the speaker. The program includes lunch and the fee is $14/member and $17/nonmember. Reservations are required by March 13 by calling 725-8797, ext. 1 or online at www.midcoastmaine.com.

March’s Mid Day Chambers is March 15, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road. The presenter is Jay Martin, Maine’s small business advocate, Office of the Secretary of State.

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS: SMMC welcomes YUR Away Pet Sitting service, based in West Bath; Linda Bean’s Maine Kitchen and Topside Tavern in downtown Freeport; Sweet Thunder Productions, a videographer based in Wiscasset; and Pauline’s Bloomers in downtown Brunswick.

The chamber proudly serves 660 businesses and organizations in the following communities: Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Edgecomb, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Wiscasset and Woolwich.

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