The Minnesota Dental Association said today that it's worried Minnesotans will be negatively affected by the budget plan proposed this week by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

MDA  President Dr. Lee Jess said: “Gov, Pawlenty’s proposed budget cuts will further restrict access to oral health care at a time families need it the most. And the proposed cuts will have the greatest impact on those whose oral health is most fragile.”

The group said the proposal will:

• Eliminate dental care for needy adults. Care for children remains only because it is required by the federal government.

• Eliminate a widely acclaimed program to encourage dentists to provide critical care to needy children and adults. Known as the Critical Access Provider Payment Program, this successful initiative has allowed dentists to treat even more patients on public assistance.

• Eliminate the Health Care Access Fund but keep the tax on dentists and others in place, diverting those funds to the general fund.