Angela Willis

"This is a huge need in Macomb County," said Angela Willis, director of the county's Department of Senior Citizen Services, which administers the dental plan.

The need for cheap dental work is acute throughout Michigan, Willis said."We've gotten calls from eight counties that have requested information about our plan," she said, adding Macomb County is the only county in Michigan to offer its residents a dental plan.

Oakland County officials are considering adopting a similar plan.A resolution was introduced to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Thursday to study whether to implement a dental plan.

"With the economy like it is in Michigan, we have people losing their jobs all the time -- which means they're also without dental care," Willis said.
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Willis said she also has heard complaints from dentists.

"Some of them say, 'what are you trying to do -- undercut us?' They're afraid they'll lose business because of this program," Willis said.