Improving Oral Health Care Services in Rural America from the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
Date:
Duration: approximately
minutes
Featured Speakers
- Paul Moore, Executive Secretary, National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services; Senior Health Policy Advisor, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
- Amy B. Martin, Associate Professor and Director for the Division of Population Oral Health at the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina
- Ben Taylor, Outgoing member of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services; Member of the clinical faculty team for the Physician Assistant Program at the Medical College of Georgia; ER provider
Approximately 34 million Americans reside in rural or partially-rural areas designated as a dental Health Professional Shortage Area. The shortage of practicing dental professionals in rural communities is influenced by a variety of factors which include an unwillingness of dental care providers to work in rural regions, specialization in dental care and the capital needed to start a rural practice. One near-term concern is that a large number of dentists are predicted to retire in the near future. Untreated oral health conditions are also associated with increased incidence of stroke, coronary heart disease, asthma, diabetes, and Alzheimer's Disease.
In this webinar, speakers will highlight the current research and programs related to improving oral health care services in rural America and highlight the Committee's policy recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.