Illinois Lawmaker Seeks State Takeover of Chicago Public Schools' Dental Care Program

Citing drop in dental care for needy students, state senator introduces bill to create uniform statewide system

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Fewer Chicago kids are getting the dental care they need, and some dentists are blaming Chicago Public Schools. For many of Chicago's neediest children, in-school dentists are their only access to care, but some frontline dentists say the system at CPS is driving providers away and leading to fewer kids getting the dental care they need. Illinois state Sen. Julie Morrison has introduced legislation to create one uniform statewide system, but CPS and the Chicago Department of Public Health are against the proposal.

Why it matters

Access to dental care is a critical issue for low-income students in Chicago, as in-school dentists are often their only way to receive necessary treatment. The decline in dental services at CPS schools raises concerns about the health and well-being of vulnerable children who rely on these programs.

The details

Dr. Ahmed Ramaha of Universal Dental said he loves treating kids through Illinois' All Kids School-Based Dental Program, but he does not work with CPS schools due to the layers of contracting, administrative burdens, and compliance risk that do not exist elsewhere in the state. Sen. Morrison's proposed legislation aims to create a uniform statewide system, but CPS and the Chicago Department of Public Health oppose the bill, arguing it would hinder progress and lower standards for the school-based dental services program.

  • In the last 10 years or so, the number of children who were actually seen in the schools in Chicago dropped by a half.
  • Senate Bill 2797 has been assigned to the Illinois Senate Health and Human Services Committee, but has yet to receive a vote in committee.

The players

Dr. Ahmed Ramaha

A dentist at Universal Dental in Orland Park who treats students at schools in the suburbs and in Chicago, but not Chicago Public Schools due to the administrative burdens.

Illinois state Sen. Julie Morrison

A Democratic state senator who has introduced legislation to create one uniform statewide system for the school-based dental program.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS)

The school district that manages the School-based Oral Health Program, which CPS officials claim has provided dental services to more than 1.3 million students.

Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)

The city agency that manages the School-based Oral Health Program in partnership with CPS, and opposes the proposed state legislation.

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What they’re saying

“Schools are great opportunities.”

— Dr. Ahmed Ramaha, Dentist, Universal Dental

“We spoke to many school principals. They said, 'We would love you to come,' but they cannot. They have to go through CPS, and they're making it very, very difficult. We're being prevented from delivering that care.”

— Dr. Ahmed Ramaha, Dentist, Universal Dental

“In the last 10 years or so, the number of children who were actually seen in the schools in Chicago dropped by a half … not because there wasn't a need, but because we couldn't get providers synced into that program.”

— Illinois state Sen. Julie Morrison

What’s next

Senate Bill 2797 has been assigned to the Illinois Senate Health and Human Services Committee, but has yet to receive a vote in committee.

The takeaway

This issue highlights the challenges in providing essential dental care to low-income students in Chicago, as the current system at CPS appears to be deterring dentists from participating and leading to a decline in services. The proposed state legislation aims to create a more streamlined and accessible program, but faces opposition from CPS and public health officials who argue it would undermine progress.