2010 Wyoming Silver Haired Legislature Passes Denturist Bill

SHL Director Marge Myers,

I understand the denturist bill passed on the floor. It was an honor to be part of the Silver Haired Legislature Health Committee process. The Committee was articulate in discussion of the denturist bill and the issues surrounding the needs of the Wyoming people. This pushes the issue of affordable dental care for those Wyoming people doing without denture care closer to a mandated state legislative solution. The solution will give the Wyoming people the service and choice that our neighboring states of Montana and Idaho are privileged with by regulating the denturist profession. As you know, a good number of Wyoming's aged population living on a fixed income, do not qualify for Medicaid or Wyoming's Public Health's dental program. In most cases it's due to their resources that are not even adequate to meet daily maintenance needs.

Do you have any general information regarding the history and makeup of the SHL so I can learn more about the organization? I have gone to the Casper Senior Center website that includes some brief information about the SHL. I'm puzzled by the fact that many Wyoming people not associated with senior centers are not aware of the SHL services. Many of the issues that the Silver Haired Legislators cover are issues that affect not just Wyoming's aged citizens but most of the Wyoming people. I know funding for the Silver Haired Legislature is limited but it would be nice if SHL had its own website representing the leadership dimensions associated with the SHL volunteers and the services provided by their legislative body.

Silver Haired Legislators give the Wyoming people "one more voice" of representation through out the 23 counties of Wyoming and as you know in this day and age we need their services more than ever. I'm thankful to the Wyoming State Legislators for allocating funding for the Wyoming Silver Haired Legislature; giving the Wyoming people a voice in expressing and prioritizing issues to be presented to the general session of the Wyoming State Legislature.

My list of SHL Representatives is from the 2008 SHL Session. As an advocate for affordable dental care and the denturist profession, I have a need to send thank you cards to the SHL Representatives for their services. Please send me an updated list of SHL Representatives. Thank you.

Gary W. Vollan L.D.
P.O. Box 332
Basin, Wyoming 82410
www.wysda.org