 Overview
While most Americans seek care from a dentist regularly, some individuals
and families face challenges accessing dental care. These Americans,
including racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities,
and those whose families are economically disadvantaged, may also
suffer a disproportionate share of dental disease. Access challenges
include difficulty getting to a dental office, prioritizing dental
care among other health crises, overcoming financial barriers, and
navigating government assistance programs. These dental patients
may need special financial arrangements, help accessing a dental
office, or special oral hygiene instruction. Also, basic awareness
of oral health issues for many Americans may be quite limited because
of cultural or language barriers or problems with literacy.
This section of ADA.org provides information for dentists and their
staff members to help assist vulnerable people in their offices and
in the community. Examples of community programs to improve oral
health are also included. This information is also a resource for
community leaders, law- and policy-makers and anyone else interested
in improving access to oral health care for the millions of Americans
who currently lack it.
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Access to Dental Care Summit
On March 23, 2009, the ADA convened representatives from a variety of communities of interest to create a shared vision in order to improve the oral health of underserved populations. The Access to Dental Care Summit affirmed the dental profession’s commitment to serve as a convener and collaborator committed to finding common ground and shared solutions to one of the major health problems facing some of the nation’s most vulnerable people. Proceedings of this Summit can be downloaded below.
- Proceedings of the 2009 Access to Dental Care Summit | PDF file/5MB
(Posted 06/26/09)
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2008 Medicaid Provider Symposium
The 2007 House of Delegates authorized a Medicaid Provider Symposium for 2008 (Resolution 44H-2007) to identify challenges to providing oral health care to Medicaid recipients and inform the participants of the Access to Dental Care Summit that the ADA will convene in 2009. The Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations was charged with coordinating the planning and implementation of the symposium, which was held on June 23, 2008. It focused on identifying barriers to care and successful strategies for increasing access for Medicaid recipients. Most of the group’s recommendations for action were directed to systemic concerns, rather than changes that could be implemented immediately within an individual practice. Addressing these larger concerns may significantly decrease barriers to care for this population.
The Medicaid Provider Symposium provided insights into the challenges faced by dentists who successfully provide care to Medicaid patients within their private practice settings. This was a unique group, unlike any convened on this issue previously.
- Download Medicaid Provider Symposium Report | PDF file/189k (Posted 01/21/09)
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State and Community Models for Improving Access to Dental Care for the Underserved—A White Paper
State and Community
Models for Improving Access to Dental Care
for the Underserved—A
White Paper by the American Dental Association–October
2004
- What are examples of enhancements to state dental Medicaid programs
I can use to initiate change in my state?
- On
a community-level, using market-based
examples, how can dental delivery sites be expanded for low-income
families and Medicaid beneficiaries?
Overview
Over the past few years, dentists, policy makers and other stakeholders
have used innovative approaches to improve
access to and utilization of dental care
for underserved individuals. This 2004 American Dental Association
white paper examines five models, which can be adopted and modified
to meet specific needs in your area. Three take a comprehensive approach
to increasing dentist participation in public programs and improving
utilization of dental services. Two community models increased access
to care by expanding dental delivery sites.
This white paper is of
interest to a variety of stakeholders:
the dental community, health care professionals, policy makers and
public health and human service advocates who know all
too well that oral health is integral to
overall health, self-esteem, ability to learn and employability.
This white paper is the latest in a series of
American Dental Association publications
and initiatives aimed at bringing together many communities of interest
and stimulating improvements in access to care for vulnerable individuals
and families.
- State and Community Models for Improving Access to Dental Care
for the Underserved—A White Paper | PDF
file/135k
- State and Community Models for Improving Access to Dental Care
for the Underserved—A White Paper (Executive Summary)
| PDF
file/40k
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Featured
Program
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ADA
Resources
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Access
Across the Nation
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Federal
and State Legislative Activities
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ADA
News
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The Journal of the American Dental Association
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Additional
Resources and Continuing Education
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ADA
News Releases—Access to Care
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Federal
and State Initiatives and Reports
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