One-Fifth Of Massachusetts Communities Do Not Have Dentists, Study Finds

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 20 Oct 2006 - 11:00 PDT


One-fifth of cities and towns in Massachusetts lack a single dentist, according to a study issued Monday by the Oral Health Collaborative of Massachusetts, a consortium of educators, medical associations and health advocacy groups, the Boston Globe reports. For the study, researchers examined the distribution of general practice dentists and dental specialists throughout Massachusetts. Communities in western Massachusetts are experiencing the worst dentist shortages, the study found. Statewide, more than half of communities do not have a periodontist or endodontist, according to the study. The study also found that low-income residents and those living in rural areas have disproportionately less access to dental care. According to Ana Karina Mascaren, head of dental public health at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine, "In some communities, people will have to travel over 20 miles" to obtain dental care. However, Alan Gold, president of the Massachusetts Dental Society, said residents of rural areas are accustomed to traveling to obtain dental care and other services. Bruce Donoff, dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, said, "High tuitions and resulting indebtedness are factors that drive [dentists] to practice in areas where payment is good." Several public and private efforts recently have been enacted in the state to give dental students breaks on tuition or help them repay loans if they practice in community health centers, the Globe reports (Smith, Boston Globe, 10/17).

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