A bill is moving through the Arizona Senate that would appropriate funds to cover dental cleanings for pregnant women who are on the state’s Medicaid program. 

Will Humble is the Executive Director of the Arizona Public Health Association and the former head of the state health department. He says a recent study shows a strong relationship between poor oral health and preterm births.

"And one thing we know for sure is that preterm births cost the state a lot more than term births — in fact 10 times as much," he said. "So a woman who has a preterm birth costs the state, if they’re on AHCCCS, about $50,000 a year versus $5,000 for a term birth."

Similar measures have been introduced in the past but failed to gain traction. Humble says he’s optimistic this time because there’s evidence that the state would save money by providing such a benefit.