New York Times Examines Access to Dental Care in USA

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 13 Apr 2005 - 10:00 PDT

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The New York Times on Tuesday examined how low-income and minority U.S. residents lack access to dental coverage and services. A report issued by the surgeon general in 2000 called dental and oral diseases a "silent epidemic," detailing significant oral health problems affecting the low-income population, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and residents of rural areas. The report stated that the primary factors causing dental problems were the lack of community fluoridation programs, lack of transportation to dental providers and low rates of dental coverage. Since the report, dental care has not improved and could be getting worse, according to dental experts, the Times reports. Within the last 15 years, seven dental schools have closed -- leaving 56 in the United States -- and the number of dentists retiring continues to exceed the number of graduating dentists by at least 2,000, according to Jerry Harrison, executive director of New Mexico Health Resources, whose main focus is on recruiting health providers to the state. In addition, the number of minority dentists is on the decline, and some estimates have found that half of cavities in African-American children are not seen by dentists, the Times reports. "The real issue is poverty," Harrison said, adding, "Less than 50% of Americans have dental insurance, and the working poor can't afford to see dentists or bring their kids" (Daitz, New York Times, 4/12).

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