What oral health disparities are present in rural America?
Rural areas face a number of unique challenges that limit access to dental services for many residents. These include geographic and transportation barriers, fewer fluoridated community water supplies, an acute shortage of dental professionals relative to the rest of the country, and a lower rate of dental insurance. In 2004, U.S. health spending was about $963.9 billion, with dental care accounting for 7.5 percent. Although 47 million Americans lack health insurance, 108 million lack dental insurance. For additional information on rural oral health disparities, including statistics and data, consult the following research articles: Brock-Martin A., “Analysis of State Dental Hygiene Practice Acts and Medicaid Policies for Children’s Dental Care: Services Covered and Practitioners Reimbursed South Carolina Rural Health Research Center. Research Project, August 2008 anticipated completion date. Fisher-Owens S., Barker J., Adams S., Chung L., Gansky S., Hyde S., Weintraub J., “Giving Poli
