The Dental System Of Dental Care

Oral health has a direct impact on the general health, hence, it is important that all Canadians have adequate access to dental care services. Over the years successive Governments have reduced financial support to programs delivering dental care to most vulnerable populations. As a result, many low income families and other vulnerable groups have been unable to access dental care. There is further escalation in the disparities in oral health care among Canadians, as the number of Canadians losing dental care benefits continues to increase. Also, higher oral health care costs can be expected in the near future due to shortage of health care professionals.

The accessibility of dental care in relation to race, ethnicity, income level, and overall socioeconomic status is evaluated. Across the board, a huge lack of dental care is seen in individuals of low-income levels and minority groups. In addition, the most susceptible groups to dental disease are identified as children, low-income adults, and the elderly. Ways to improve the oral health status of these groups are recognized. The various needs of underserved communities with respect to the access of dental care are assessed, despite a lack of sufficient dental insurance coverage of individuals who are members of these communities. This includes the improvement of both preventative and restorative care via public health programs, such as

As society continues to age, one fourth of the world will be 65 years or older, thanks to the influx of baby boomers. Due to this rapid growth in longevity, this will multiply the problem of access to care. Attention towards systemic conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and strokes are being discussed by government agencies and health care professionals. (Overview of oral health, 2017). There is evidence linking oral health to systemic health, therefore, a need for a more collaborative approach towards prevention is critical to achieve overall health for the public (Jin, 2016).

While most of the patients I interacted with were seeking non-dental care, I met patients who were seeking care to health conditions that stem from their oral health such as oral abscesses, which our team was unable to treat except for prescribing antibiotics or painkillers. I encountered similar situations when I shadowed physicians in the emergency room of hospitals, observing a variety of craniofacial disorders originating from a preventable tooth decay. From these observations, I learned that patients often did not receive treatment that addressed the root of their problems: their oral health. As the result, I learned that many physicians saw the same patient repeatedly for problems that would otherwise be easily prevented through proper preventive dental care. Determining to address the unmet needs for accessible preventive dental care, I decided to pursue a career in dentistry so that I can provide a positive and meaningful impact to the underserved community on their oral health and ultimately their overall

Because children are influenced by the family tradition and learn from their parents, it is important for parents to make sure that they are teaching proper oral care habits at a young age. The habits that children should learn at a young age are; keeping up with home dental care, receiving the dental care that people should, needing dental care but being enforced to go, brushing teeth as well as they should, being taught on how to control snacking between meals as well as they should, and being taught that dental care is indeed important. " Poor oral health has an impact upon children's health in general and dental caries can lead to a lack of appetite, problems with chewing, problems with sleeping and a decrease in school performance" (Abanto et al, 2011). Proper health education is somewhat

Hundreds of years ago, the dental profession and the medical profession was perceived as two separate entities, however, this bifurcated health system has created an epidemic in oral disease with our aging population (Nagro, 2016). Dentistry should be more closely integrated with medicine and the health care system, however, organized dentistry has fought to stay a monopoly. They have protested regarding dental personnel being independent, even in the advancement of serving more rural areas, just as they repelled being part of Medicare. Finally, there are a few states that have alternative choices for a dental hygienist to travel to people who can’t get to a traditional dental office. Some of these states include Minnesota, Colorado, Oregon,

Many low income areas have dental therapists as part of their local dental team. Many people in these areas have never been to a dentist or do not go every six months as recommended this poses many other health problems. There has been case studies and data showing that in these areas dental health

I think that being able to give people more access to care and more affordable care will really open up the world to dentistry. It will make people more aware of going to get their teeth cleaned and also maybe make them more willing to go. I think this position is also a very good idea because it may reduce certain dental fears that people may have once they realize that mid-level providers are there to help them not to purposefully harm them like they may believe dentists intend to do. I am hoping that years from now if this profession takes off, dental disease will decrease and more people will be aware of taking care of their teeth. I think by educating people and showing them how important dental care is and how easy it could be to access with mid-level providers, this could change the way that people look at dentistry and will be able to get people to come in to get the care that they

Oral health care is an integral part of the US healthcare system. In 2012, Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced “The Comprehensive Dental Reform Act”, which aimed on expanding dental coverage, accessible oral health care centers, increase in dental workforce, enhanced dental education and encourage dental research. (Congress.gov). The ACA, aim to curb the national health spending, by facilitating the affordability to quality care through private and public health insurance. The purpose of this bill is to cut the healthcare costs and to reverse the “silent epidemic” of dental health status (surgeon gen). This dental bill with an integrated approach towards the preventive and comprehensive oral healthcare is estimated to provide coverage to almost 17.7 million adults. (ADA

“The impact of unmet oral health care needs is magnified by the well-established connection between oral health and overall health” (Fineberg, H. 2011, p. ix). Oral health status is linked with general health, as evidenced by the association between poor oral health and chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to other health issues such as, oral facial pain and digestive problems. “The silent epidemic of oral diseases disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities,

During the past two summers, I have spent time in Hopewell, Jamaica. With my mother and groups of dental students, I have gone in the name of the Christian Dental Society. We provided free dental care for people in need. One week is spent in Jamaica, and four days are spent in a small clinic. The clinic in Hopewell has been built onto a church, and there is no air conditioning. A few dental chairs get set up in the sanctuary. Every morning at the clinic starts out busily as we get all of the stations ready to see patients. Following clinic prep, we go outside where all of the patients are waiting. They sit on old church pews and benches under a makeshift tarp roof. We say good morning to the patients and pastors and then participate in a morning

MB2 Dental Solutions offers a suite of services for dental practices and solo practitioners who are seeking new methods to make their practice more efficient, without sacrificing their patient's standard of care. According to MB2 Dental Solutions' About Us page, dentists maintain their clinical independence; affiliated dentists simply receive assistance with tedious administrative tasks associated with practice management that keep practitioners busy, without bringing in income. Since MB2 is a practice management firm created by a dentist, Dr. Chris Steven Villanueva, DMD, patients always come first.

Coming from a low-income and primarily minority-based community, I have come to realize how quite often such health services, such as dental care, are not economically feasible for members of the community. My main reason for feeling this way is the mere fact that my parents are unable to receive quality dental care due to their immigrant status. As it currently is people of statuses similar to these, generally all similar in that they are low income, are only eligible to receive the most basic of health coverage. This translates into situations where entire families are only receiving the most basic of coverage. This is the main reason as to why I am motivated and dedicated to pursuing a profession in dentistry. I can be a leading and innovative force in making the necessary changes to rectify the current quality disparity between the services that is offered to higher income communities in comparison to lower income communities.

Lastly, low income countries have 62% of the world population and there world health expenditure is 2%. By looking at this information “Evidence based intervention for all major oral diseases exist. But they are not available or implemented in majority of countries” (Beaglehole Pg 91). Please refer to appendix 5 and 6

Imagine after years of being dead, a human body is found and all that is really left of them is their teeth. Why? It may be because of the way they took care of their teeth while they were alive and the precaution methods they were educated about. Educating people about oral health is really important because teeth are the strongest bone in our body and they even preserve the most after we pass away, this means it is an essential factor to knowing how to protect them from getting a disease and keeping them as long as possible. Most patients are not aware of diseases in dentistry. Educating the older and the young generation will help to care for their oral health.