The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports that only 20% of Medicaid recipients visited the dentist in 1998. A midcourse review of the progress toward Healthy Peopple 2000 Objectives revealed that a decrease in the percentage of 5-year old children who reported having seen a dentist in the past year coincided with an increase in the percentage of 6-8 year olds who had untreated dental decay. The NC Institute of Medicine convened a Task Force of state dental and medical professionals along with others to study the access problem.
A total of 23 recommendations were developed, all having far-reaching impact on improving services for Medicaid recipients statewide. Collaboration between public and private agencies, dental and medical practitioners, and community leaders, is central to the strategies. The General Assembly adopted several of the recommendations and directed further study of others. This report lays the framework for a renewed emphasis on dental care for the underserved in North Carolina.
Learning Objectives: Discuss the N.C. dental care access plan. List recommendations set by the Task Force. Identify strategies which would elevate recommendations into action. Identify FirstHealth Dental Care Center's success in meeting access issues
Keywords: Access, Oral Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: N.C. Institute of Medicine
N.C. Department of Health and Human Services
FirstHealth Dental Care Center
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.