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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Oral health

States Expand the Use of Dental Therapy: Access to Care Increases When Dentists Are Authorized to Hire Midlevel Providers
Presents a state-by-state guide to dental therapist legislation and policies. Summarizes the dental therapist model and details policy updates regularly.
Author(s): Jane Koppelman
Date: 09/2016
Sponsoring organization: Pew Charitable Trusts
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National Health Service Corps - An Extended Analysis: Final Report
Examines the distribution and retention of National Health Service Corps providers with a focus on Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Indian Health Service (IHS) sites. Compares long and short-term retention of NHSC and non-NHSC providers for 2000-2015 and NHSC participant location after completing their service requirements. Includes data breakdowns by type of HPSA (primary care, dental health, mental health), type of provider, race/ethnicity, and gender.
Author(s): Sebastian Negrusa, Paul Hogan, Projesh Ghosh, Lachlan Watkins
Date: 09/2016
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Intersection of Living in a Rural Versus Urban Area and Race/Ethnicity in Explaining Access to Health Care in the United States
Examines healthcare access for Hispanic, African American, and White rural and urban residents. Reports on access to a usual source of healthcare, healthcare needs met, cholesterol screening, cervical screening, and dental visits.
Author(s): Julia T. Caldwell, Chandra L. Ford, Steven P. Wallace, May C. Wang, Lois M. Takahashi
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 106(8), 1463-9
Date: 08/2016
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Oral Health Care Service in North Dakota Community Health Care Centers
Presents an overview of the federally funded Community Health Center (CHC) program in North Dakota. Addresses their locations within the state, services provided, sources of revenue, and patient demographics. Particular attention is given to the oral health services provided by CHCs, including a cost comparison between oral health services and medical services.
Author(s): Jun Lee, Shawnda Schroeder
Date: 07/2016
Sponsoring organization: University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health
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Social Factors Affecting Pediatric Oral Health in North Dakota
Presents the findings of surveys given to North Dakota children and youth in grade school through high school to determine their knowledge of, and resources to practice, good oral hygiene. Results were tabulated by race and address disparities in the frequency of brushing, the consumption of sugary beverages, and access to oral healthcare supplies.
Author(s): Shawnda Schroeder
Date: 07/2016
Sponsoring organization: University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health
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Dentists Providing Oral Health Care to Long Term Care Residents: Survey Chartbook & Four North Dakota Case Studies
Reports on a survey conducted to assess oral health services among long-term care (LTC) facilities in North Dakota. Addresses oral health policies, care practices, and dental providers' views on geriatric oral health. Provides additional analysis through 4 rural case studies.
Author(s): Shawnda Schroeder, Patrick Bright
Date: 07/2016
Sponsoring organization: University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health
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Economic Evaluation of Community Water Fluoridation: A Community Guide Systematic Review
Details a study on the costs and benefits of implementing community water fluoridation (CWF) in a variety of different community types. Highlights some of the challenges to implementing CWF in rural communities.
Author(s): Tao Ran, Sajal Chattopadhyay
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 50(6), 790-796
Date: 06/2016
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Health Literacy in Dentistry and Navajo Nation Community Health Representatives
A commentary about the work of community health representatives (CHRs) toward the improvement of health on the Navajo reservation, including oral health programs. Includes a general overview of CHRs and population health for tribal communities and the need for more education for CHRs.
Author(s): Steven P. Geiermann, Mae-Gilene Begay, Lindsey Robinson, and Sharon Clough
Date: 06/2016
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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Oral Health Care in North Dakota Long Term Care Facilities
Provides data on oral health in long-term care (LTC) facilities in North Dakota. Compares rural and urban variation in oral health policies regarding services and staff training. Includes recommendations to encourage LTC facilities to strengthen relationships with oral health providers and improve access to oral health for their residents.
Author(s): Shawnda Schroeder
Date: 06/2016
Sponsoring organization: University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health
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Integration of Oral Health Into the Well-Child Visit at Federally Qualified Health Centers: Study of 6 Clinics, August 2014-March 2015
Results and analysis of observations and 39 interviews with 42 administrators and staff at 6 clinics in rural, small community, and urban areas in Massachusetts and Maryland. Includes patient demographics and structural characteristics of clinics.
Author(s): Judith Bernstein, Christina Gebel, Clemencia Vargas, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 13
Date: 04/2016
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