Enhancing access to oral health care for underserved communities: “Project Dental Home”

Objectives:

Project “Dental Home” is an ongoing community oral health outreach program in Broward County, Florida to improve the oral health of adults and children in underserved communities.

Methods:

The approach consists of providing oral health services at community centers through the use of portable dental equipment to provide oral health screenings, preventive dental care, and referral to a “dental home.” Oral health services are provided by dental students from Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine with supervision by a faculty preceptor. Through a collaborative grant, Memorial Healthcare System ensures that participants' medical needs are addressed.

Results:

As of January 30, 2009 145 adult patients have utilized services with 89% indicating that they did not have a dentist for routine care. Over half (57%) have not seen a dentist in the past two years and 28% have not seen a dentist in the past 5 years. Sixty-two percent reported that there was a time in the past two years that they needed dental care and could not receive it. The most common barriers were the cost of dental services and lack of insurance. Over half (58%) of participants reported teeth and gums were in “fair” or “poor” condition. Twenty percent of adults reported having missed a day of work because of a dental problem.

Conclusion:

For this underserved population, the lack of access to care as well as financial limitations is a major barrier to receiving dental care.

Funding:

Health Foundation of South Florida