Where the Heart Is: Dentistry in Rural America
Can you imagine having to travel over 50 miles just to see a dentist who accepts your insurance?
What if I told you that it could be at least 7 months before you could get in with an oral surgeon, even if you are in pain, all because they are the only oral surgeons that take your insurance?
This is happening all over in rural areas of the United States. We face significant challenges in accessing dental care, particularly for residents in our rural areas who are covered by Medicaid (MO HealthNet).
Despite these obstacles, our 7 locations in Rural Missouri are happy to address these disparities and improve oral health outcomes across the state’s rural communities.
A Perfect Storm of Challenges
Rural Missouri communities face a perfect storm of dental care challenges. We have fewer than one dentist per 5,000 residents. In addition to a low number of dental offices, we also find transportation issues to be a barrier; many patients often need to travel 50 miles or more to reach one of our locations.
The consequences of limited dental access are far-reaching. Preventable dental conditions account for thousands of emergency room visits annually across rural Missouri, costing the healthcare system millions while providing only temporary relief. Children in rural counties show higher rates of untreated decay, and adults report more missing teeth compared to their urban counterparts.
Expanding Access Where It’s Needed Most
Our company works to address oral health disparities in our Missouri area. We expanded access, increased affordability, and enhanced education for preventative care. We help provide access to dental care that might not otherwise be available.
Only about 20% of dentists in Missouri currently accept Medicaid patients, with even fewer in rural areas. I am blessed to work for a company that sees the benefits of helping the underserved and makes educating all patients who walk in our doors a priority.
Making Quality Care Affordable
We also work to increase affordability for those who cannot afford dental care due to financial constraints and are uninsured. We offer several financing options with an approval rate of 85%, starting from a minimum treatment amount of $60.00.
We help our patients navigate their treatment plan, offering resources that benefit them and help them receive the dental care they need. Resources like charity programs in our area, help with grant applications, or, if eligible, referring them to Medicaid or Medicare supplemental insurance.
Building a Healthier Tomorrow
Some people might think it’s crazy that someone isn’t aware of preventive care. Many people were raised to only go to the doctor if something was wrong.
It’s our job to educate our patients on the importance of preventive care. We never want a patient to leave without their next appointment scheduled. Patient education is something that, once you get a patient engaged, they’ll be committed to.
So, we spend time discussing not only the treatment plan but also their plan after the treatments are complete. While challenges remain, the combined efforts of healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations are gradually improving dental care access in rural areas.
We are committed to providing ACCESS to dental care for ALL who need it, regardless of their location or financial resources.
About the Author
Jami Stockard, MAADOM
Jami Stockard is the Director of Operations at Access Dental Services, LP, in Missouri, a growing company with seven current locations. She has worked in dentistry for over 19 years, starting as a chairside dental assistant and then a practice manager.
