In “Where are All the Dentists?” Kristin Lewis informs the reader about many people who aren't getting the dental care they need, and the organizations who are trying to change it. People who live in dental desserts don't have access to a dentist. Similarly, there are other people who can't afford to go to the dentist, because the cost to go is too high. Not having proper dental care can lead to many health issues later in life, so it's better to go to the dentist now. However, to fix this, people are starting to make mobile clinics where dentists will treat patients. These clinics will travel to dental deserts in order to help the people there for a lowered price, or even no cost at all! The hope is, that doing this will eventually help everyone
Therefore, booking a patient in a private dental office happens sooner. Thus, with more prompt service the dental office provides much better quality of care. Dr. Drexler shares, “It is inconvenient to have the poor quality technology. A number of patients lose wages and time from work to see the dentist. In fact, a patient is willing to pay the higher fee rate for same day service” (Wexler). With this in mind, the distinction is remarkable; the author finds Universal Care most appealing. All in all, the public deserves the same level of care, no matter their circumstances. In either case, Dr. Wexler agrees “the HCO is high-quality healthcare but in society, we are at the bottom of effectiveness in providing effective healthcare to all”
Many low income areas have dental therapists as part of their local dental team. Many people in these areas have never been to a dentist or do not go every six months as recommended this poses many other health problems. There has been case studies and data showing that in these areas dental health
In “Where are all the Dentists?”, Kristen Lewis states that there are not enough dentists in rural areas, but that can be fixed. Many people in the modern world live in poverty and don't have the dental support they need. This is because regular dental treatment can cost up to $100, which is a lot for some people who don't have regular dental access. Having a dental degree is very pricey, so when the dentists come out of dental school, they are usually in debt. Because of this, dentists like to work in modern environments where they can get good business. But in places with not a lot of money, there are less or no dentists. These “dental deserts” have many people with untreated cavities and other bad tooth diseases. Because of that, dentists
Some of us face more hardships than others, but we should use our resources to help those in need. Dentistry will give me a platform to help others. Children of CASA do not have access to basic necessities such as shoes and clothes and not alone have access to primary physicians or dentists. There are thousands of children like children of CASA and even adults who do not have access to proper medical care and dental care. Thus, as dentists, I aim to help the underprivileged population. By devoting few hours of time as volunteer, weekly or monthly, I can impact someone’s life. I can serve as an advocate, use my resources, and share my knowledge to provide individuals with comprehensive dental work and promote oral and general
Hundreds of years ago, the dental profession and the medical profession was perceived as two separate entities, however, this bifurcated health system has created an epidemic in oral disease with our aging population (Nagro, 2016). Dentistry should be more closely integrated with medicine and the health care system, however, organized dentistry has fought to stay a monopoly. They have protested regarding dental personnel being independent, even in the advancement of serving more rural areas, just as they repelled being part of Medicare. Finally, there are a few states that have alternative choices for a dental hygienist to travel to people who can’t get to a traditional dental office. Some of these states include Minnesota, Colorado, Oregon,
Over 130 million Americans do not have dental insurance. On top of that, almost a million emergency room visits last year resulted from preventable oral conditions. Many Americans today are unaware of how the condition of their dentition affects their overall health. Socioeconomic limitations, the lack of dental education in parents, eating habits, and simply the availability of dentists plays a key role in the state of children’s oral health; implementing a universal dental care program will help lower the barriers that many people face when it comes to receiving the dental care they need. The program will target high-risk individuals who are prone to dental caries and provide them with standard
Over 130 million Americans do not have dental insurance. On top of that, almost a million emergency room visits last year resulted from preventable oral conditions. Many Americans today are unaware of how the condition of their dentition affects their overall health. Socioeconomic limitations, the lack of dental education in parents, eating habits, and simply the availability of dentists plays a key role in the state of children’s oral health; implementing a universal dental care program will help lower the barriers that many people face when it comes to receiving the dental care they need. The program will target high-risk individuals who are prone to dental caries and provide them with standard treatment.
The provision of dental treatment in Australia is a topic that ignites a wide range of opinions and emotions among the various stakeholders involved. Much of dentistry in Australia is provided in the private setting, some estimates suggesting 83%1. Australians fund up to 60% of dental care via out of pocket payments1,2. Only a relatively small amount of dental care is provided in the public sector to patients who are often disadvantaged in regards to their oral health1. It is estimated that a large amount of the population is unable to access dental care due to finances; however the capacity of the public sector to provide dental care is limited. With limited funding and resources, the public sector is unable to provide dental care for all Australians and a large proportion of people are on long wait lists, some estimates of 650,0002.
As dental health care providers, we look at the many ways we can help our community with their access to care, ways to provide preventative treatment, and how we may best be able provide services to our clients. Many times the largest issue that lies within our community is access to care1. This is current crisis is a tremendous barrier which is affecting low-income populations, restricting their access to care1. In order to provide much needed services to many who go without dental care, a new position has emerged within the dental provider community within the last few years. This new role is the mid-level dental provider. A mid-level dental provider is a
Oral health care is an integral part of the US healthcare system. In 2012, Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced “The Comprehensive Dental Reform Act”, which aimed on expanding dental coverage, accessible oral health care centers, increase in dental workforce, enhanced dental education and encourage dental research. (Congress.gov). The ACA, aim to curb the national health spending, by facilitating the affordability to quality care through private and public health insurance. The purpose of this bill is to cut the healthcare costs and to reverse the “silent epidemic” of dental health status (surgeon gen). This dental bill with an integrated approach towards the preventive and comprehensive oral healthcare is estimated to provide coverage to almost 17.7 million adults. (ADA
Health care has been an issue for the United States of America for multiple years. Dental care, a topic that does not get much attention because people believe it is trivial, plays a major part in people’s lives, particularly children. Gerard van Honthorst’s The Tooth Puller shows a dentist pulling a patient’s tooth with five observers watching. Van Honthorst shows how in awe or scared people are of the dentist. There is a negative outlook on dentists and dental care: people are afraid of the dentist giving them their negative connotation, while dental care only causes pain in many people eyes. There is a problem in the health care system and improvement in the system is needed because health care is a right for every citizen, especially dental care. The United States of America’s government should allow dental therapist to conduct the procedure that normal dentist conduct for free for children under the age of twelve. The government should fund the teaching, training, and employment of dental therapists to care for underserved people.
The problem in accessing dental care for low-income community is complex and cannot be determined simply. Lack of utilisation is as a result of lack of demands for dental health (Al Agili, Bronstein & Greene-McIntyre 2005). Demand also depends on the economic condition that supports the patients. At the individual level it has been known for years that financial reason is an essential barrier for not able to visit a dentist (Wallet et al. 2014). However, in this case, the Government try to assist low-income people by reducing financial barrier through the benefit offering by CDBS. Even though the scheme has not maximally encouraged those are eligible for the scheme. In addition to the financial barrier, perceived need is one of the reasons
Beneficiaries are not the only ones bearing the costs of emergency dental services. The PEW Center on the States (2012), reported “the average cost of a Medicaid enrollee’s inpatient hospital treatment for dental problems is nearly 10 times more expensive than the cost of preventive care delivered in a dentist’s office.” Emergency departments are costly places for dental treatment and are significantly more expensive than a general practice dental visit (Wall, Nasseh, & Vujicic, 2014). Additionally, emergency department personnel are usually inadequately trained to diagnose and treat dental conditions (Cohen, 2013). Consequently, oral health issues often persist and Medicaid ends up covering the cost of advanced disease. Though limited budgets compel states to modify Medicaid coverage of adult dental benefits, covering preventative oral care would provide financial benefits for both beneficiaries and states. Routine oral exams are more economically feasible than emergency services that do not address the root of oral problems.
I decided to watch a documentary on Netflix called, Remote Area Medical. This documentary was filmed in a Bristol, Tennessee. Remote Area Medical is a mobile medical clinic that travels around the United States and provides free services to people that live in rural areas of the country and aren’t able to access medical care regularly. Many of the people that attended this clinic either lived too far away from a doctor to make it worth the money and travel time to get there or they simply didn’t have the money and transportation available to afford it. This company provided dental work, hearing aids, glasses, and almost any kind of medical care one would need. The doctors, dentists, and nurses involved were from all around the United States who volunteered their time, and some were even medical students. Many of the people were in tears giving thanks when they received dental work, hearing aids, and the healthcare they so desperately needed after waiting so long to receive it.
Although many Americans have good oral hygiene due to fluoride and making everyday good decisions, others do not have any access at all to oral health care. Over the years, dentists have been trying to demonstrate the importance of oral care. (“Access to Dental Care”) From commercials to campaigns, dentists will continue to demonstrate to their patients as well as to the people who don't have insurance the importance of oral health care. They will teach them preventative care and some techniques on how to prevent from getting any diseases.