The State of Oral Health in Rural America

Despite developments in oral health knowledge and practice, people living in rural communities experience worse oral health access, utilization, and outcomes compared to people in urban communities. Data from the 2019 National Health Interview Survey show that urban adults (66.7%) were more likely than rural adults (57.6%) to have had a dental visit in the previous year. Additionally, there are fewer dentists in rural areas than urban, and rural residents are less likely than urban residents to have dental insurance.

Rural communities are developing oral health programs that are responsive to the specific needs of their populations. Rural oral health programs are designed to:

Increase access to oral healthcare
Provide oral healthcare services
Increase utilization of services
Improve oral health outcomes
Improve knowledge and awareness about oral health
Reduce barriers to accessing care
Raise awareness about oral health
Adapt and implement promising and evidence-based approaches
Build networks of oral health partners in communities

For more information on rural oral health, visit RHIhub's Oral Health in Rural Communities Topic Guide.

Resources to Learn More

Improving Oral Health Care Services in Rural America: Policy Brief and Recommendations
Document
Offers information on the association between oral health and overall health, barriers to oral care, and approaches to improve oral health outcomes including federal efforts. Presents recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services supporting improvements in rural oral health status.
Organization(s): National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
Date: 12/2018

Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges
Document
Provides an overview of oral health status, oral healthcare, and social determinants of oral health in the United States. Includes information on access to care in rural areas.
Organization(s): National Institutes of Health
Date: 12/2021

Oral Health in Rural America
Document
An overview of the challenges affecting oral health in rural America, and offers an annotated list of organizations supporting rural oral health concerns.
Organization(s): National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH)
Date: 8/2013

What is Shortage Designation?
Website
Defines “shortage designation” as an area, population, or facility experiencing a shortage of healthcare services. Describes the types of federal shortage designations including and Governor's-Designated Secretary-Certified Shortage Areas for Rural Health Clinics. Identifies federal programs using each of the defined designations.
Organization(s): Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)