SPECIAL EDITORIAL
Improving Access to Oral Health Care in America
While approximately twothirds of Americans seek care from a dentist regularly , many of the remaining individuals and families face challenges accessing dental care . These Americans , including racial and ethnic minorities , people with chronic diseases , the frail and elderly , and those whose families are economically disadvantaged , also bear a disproportionate share of dental disease .
Access challenges , according to the U . S . Department of Health and Human Services , include :
• difficulty getting to a dental office
• prioritizing dental care among other types of health care and basic needs of living
• overcoming financial barriers
• navigating government assistance programs
It is also true that fewer people have dental insurance than have medical insurance , and this coverage is often lost when individuals retire . Some may need special financial arrangements or case management services to overcome these obstacles , especially those individuals with physical disabilities and / or mental health challenges .
Furthermore , many Americans , due to cultural , language barriers or problems with literacy , lack an understanding and awareness of the importance of oral health and its essential relationship to their overall health .
Thankfully , there are organizations and individuals who are studying the problems in oral health access in America and taking action , each and every day . Chief among them is the American Dental Association ( ADA ) Action for Dental Health : Dentists Making a Difference . This nationwide , community-based movement aims to end the dental health crisis facing America today . The goals of the program are to provide care now to people who suffer from untreated dental disease , to strengthen and expand the public / private safety net , and to bring disease prevention and education into communities through the following eight initiatives …
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4 NYU Langone Hospitals Postdoctoral Dental Residency Program