The largest community health center-based
postdoctoral dental residency program in the world
Our Mission: To develop and grow national and international oral health programs that
set global standards for technologically advanced, culturally competent, patient-centered
dental education; are grounded in service and collaboration; and deliver exceptional oral
health care to the world’s neediest citizens and its most underserved communities.
Country in Crisis
A report entitled “Dental Care in America: The Need to Expand Access,” released in February 2012
by U.S. Senator Bernard Sanders, reiterates just how serious the lack of access to dental care is in this
country, especially among low-income or racial or ethnic minorities, pregnant women, older adults,
those with special needs, and those who live in rural communities. Among sobering statistics cited
in the report:
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More than 47 million people live in places where it is difficult to access dental care
More than 130 million Americans do not have dental insurance
About 17 million low-income children see a dentist less than once a year
Only 45 percent of Americans age 2 and older saw a dental provider in the past 12 months
[Source: A Report from Chairman Bernard Sanders Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging
U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions February 29, 2012]