The Crisis in Rural Dentistry

Date
04/2009
Description

Rural populations have fewer dentists, lower dental care utilization, and higher rates of dental caries and permanent tooth loss than urban populations. Reports from the Surgeon General and the Institute of Medicine call for more dentists in rural locations. Federal and state programs have focused on expanding rural dentist supply to increase dental access and improve oral health, but efforts may need to intensify to meet the needs of rural communities.

Center
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center