401 Frederica Street, B-203
Owensboro, Kentucky 42301
(270) 685-2652 | FAX (270) 685-6074

Pages

1
- Background
2
- Option 1: Rely on dentists in private practices
3
- Option 2: Create a new clinic or expand existing ones
4
- Option 3: Advocate for reimbursement increases
5
- Option 4: Focus on prevention
6
- Discussion Questions / Dental Data
7
- For More Information / To Get Involved / Share Your Views / Sources

Dental care for disadvantaged youth

Local options for expanded services

by Rodney Berry

Community Options: Expanding Dental Care for Disadvantaged Youth

1. Rely on dentists in private practices

This option suggests that dentists will respond to an urgent appeal and accept more Medicaid and non-paying patients if a strong case is made. Dentists are caring professionals and will respond to the challenge; however, many may expect charitable services to be absorbed by all dentists equitably.

Those who support this option may say

Those who oppose this option may say

We should turn to dentists in existing private practices before creating clinics or expanding government services.
If dentists share the burden of charity care, the number will be manageable for everyone.
The best way to provide quality dental care is through a “dental home,” where a dentist has a relationship with the patient, knows the patient’s history and can stress prevention, hygiene, regular check-ups, etc.

Our community may not be classified as underserved by dentists, but with only 41 family/general practitioners in Daviess County, there are not enough dentists to absorb such a large number of people who are uninsured and unable to pay.
There is no reason to be optimistic that a high percentage of dentists will participate in a voluntary program.
Private dental practices are businesses and there are only so many appointment slots in each day. Bills cannot be paid, staff cannot be paid, and practices cannot be sustained without paying or insured patients or reasonable reimbursements.

Costs

If dentists volunteer their time, it may be necessary and appropriate to absorb their supply costs. It may also require staff to recruit volunteer dentists into a structured program, such as a dental version of the Daviess County Community Access Project (DC-CAP).

Consequences

This option may indeed result in more dentists providing valued services for the uninsured and those unable to pay. It is unlikely that all dentists will participate; however, so many needy patients may remain underserved.

Site Development by Red Pixel Studios