Protesters: Don't Take a Bite Out of Free Dentist Program

New York, NY —

Doctors, teachers and city employees plan to protest outside the health department in lower Manhattan this hour. They're demanding the Bloomberg administration keep its free dental program for public school students, slated to end by June 30 due to budget cuts.

Barry Liebowitz, president of the Doctors Council union, says many low-income kids won't get dental care without the program because few city dentists take Medicaid.

LIEBOWITZ: There is no safety net, and the advantage of this program is that it's done right in school. Therefore, the parent does not have to be in attendance.

REPORTER: Liebowitz says the century-old dental program now costs the city about two and a half million dollars. Health officials say the city's budget crunch leaves them no choice but to cut it.