HJAR Nov/Dec 2023

56 NOV / DEC 2023 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS ORAL HEALTH WHATWILL ITTAKE tomoveArkansas from the bottom in oral health to closer to the top? Closing gaps in the dental safety net may aid in finding a solution. Maintaining oral health and receiving rou- tine dental care is essential to overall health and well-being. However, Arkansas has a significant population of underserved and vulnerable individuals who struggle to ac- cess dental care. While dental health is often overlooked in discussions about healthcare disparities, its significance cannot be un- derestimated. Arkansas consistently ranks among the lowest in oral health indicators nationwide. Many cannot get the care they need be- cause there are not enough dental providers in their communities overall or not enough who accept publicly insured patients. While almost one million Arkansans are insured through a public dental plan, such as Medic- aid, on average, across counties inArkansas, DIALOGUE COLUMN ORAL HEALTH • Burden on emergency rooms: The shortage of accessible dental care sig- nificantly burdens hospital emergency rooms. Individuals with untreated den- tal problems often turn to the ER as a last resort, driving up healthcare costs and diverting resources frommore criti- cal medical emergencies. • Long-term costs: The inability to obtain adequate, regular dental care can lead to more expensive treatments down the road. Preventive dental care is cost-ef- fective compared to treating advanced dental issues. Safety net dental clinics play a vital role in bridging this gap, providing essential dental services to underserved communities. Safe- ty net dental clinics are nonprofit organiza- tions at the front line of healthcare services for many at-risk individuals and families in the state, providing free or low-cost dental care to meet immediate and long-term oral only 61% of dentists serve these patients. To intensify problems, many Arkansans live in a dental health professional shortage area (HPSA), especially in rural areas. The population-to-dental-provider ratio can be as low as 5,000 residents to one dentist, and some counties have no dentist at all. The nearest dental clinic may be many miles away, necessitating long drives and hours of missed work. As a result, appointments are likely to be postponed or neglected. THE CONSEQUENCES • Worsening of oral health conditions: Untreated dental problems can lead to severe health complications, including infections, pain, and difficulty eating or speaking. Furthermore, oral health is closely linked to overall health, with conditions like periodontal disease in- creasing the risk of heart disease, diabe- tes, and other systemic illnesses. Supporting the Oral Health Safety Net Strengthening Our State’s Dental Care Delivery System for Vulnerable Populations