Here are some surprising facts from your Los Angeles dentist. It may shock you to know that fewer than 50% of Americans see a dentist each year. We know this came as a surprise to the patients we told.
In addition to this, millions of Americans live in areas where access to a dentist is limited. This data came from a report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM).
The report noted that a shortage of dentists is contributing to these barriers to oral health care. We hope that people in Southern California have access to a Los Angeles dentist.
The report had a lot of interesting information to share:
- Five years ago, almost two-thirds of retirees did not have adequate dental coverage.
- 33 million Americans live in areas that are underserved by dental health professionals.
The committee that created this report concluded that close to 10,000 additional dentists would be needed to meet the needs of underserved populations in the United States.
It is shame that people in the US do not have access to the dental care they deserve. This is something that all Los Angeles dentists should be concerned about.
Committee chairman Frederick P. Rivara, who practices at the University of Washington School of Medicine, says that barriers to dental services disproportionately affect children, the elderly, and minorities.
In a statement, Mr. Rivara said, “As the nation struggles to address the larger systemic issues of access to health care, we need to ensure that oral health is recognized as a basic component of overall health.”.
The committee also called on the Health Resources and Services Administration to increase opportunities for dental residencies. We hope that our policy makers understand the seriousness of these issues. It is a shame that the people who in many ways need dental care the most are not receiving this.
We hope you continue reading for more from your Los Angeles dentist.
