Here are some surprising dental facts from your Los Angeles dentist. You might be amazed to learn that less than half of Americans visit the dentist annually. Our patients couldn’t believe it when we shared this information with them.
On top of that, millions of Americans live in areas where it’s tough to find a dentist. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) reported on this issue, highlighting a shortage of dentists as a key reason why many people struggle to get proper oral health care. Fortunately, Southern California is home to some of the best dentists in the country.
Here are some eye-opening details from these reports:
– Five years ago, nearly two-thirds of retirees didn’t have sufficient dental coverage.
– About 33 million Americans live in areas lacking enough dental health professionals.
– The report’s committee concluded that the U.S. needs an additional 10,000 dentists to meet current demand.
It’s unfortunate that so many people in the U.S. can’t access the dental care they need. This should be a major concern for all dentists. Frederick P. Rivara, the committee chairman and a practitioner at the University of Washington School of Medicine, pointed out that barriers to dental care especially affect children, the elderly, and minorities.
In his 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 urged the Health Resources and Services Administration to create more opportunities for dental residencies. It’s crucial to recognize the seriousness of these issues. Sadly, those who need dental care the most are often the ones who don’t receive it.
We hope you found this information useful.