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Oral Health in Rural Communities – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Oral Health in Rural Communities.

Implications of COVID-19 on Safety-net Oral Health Services
Examines COVID-19 pandemic impacts on Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other safety-net dental providers. Describes the challenges safety-net providers face in delivering care to underserved and rural communities, and examines impacts on safety-net providers offering oral health services through mobile programs. Features statistics on FQHCs offering oral health services, with breakdowns by region.
Author(s): Margaret Langelier, Simona Surdu, Theekshana Fernando, Sai Sindhura Gundavarapu, Alex Romero
Date: 04/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Oral Health Workforce Research Center
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Addressing the Oral Health Needs of Hispanics in the U.S. – An Exploration of Oral Health Status, Dental Needs, Utilization of Dental Services, and Workforce
Report highlights the factors affecting the oral health of Hispanic and Latino populations in the U.S. Explores access, healthcare utilization, and workforce issues, among others. Discusses the use of emergency departments for oral health issues in rural areas, as well as access issues faced by migrants.
Date: 04/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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American Indian and Alaska Native Communities Face a 'Disproportionate Burden of Oral Disease' - Reversing Inequities Involves Challenges and Opportunities
White paper explores the state of American Indian and Alaska Native oral health. Discusses some of the oral health disparities faced by AI/AN communities, such as historical and cultural factors, workforce shortages, and oral health literacy, among other factors. Presents solutions and strategic recommendations to address AI/AN oral health disparities.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Mary Altenberg, Terrence Batliner, Tommie Chavis II, et al.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, National Indian Health Board
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Dental Care Use in the Midwest: Metro vs. Nonmetro
Examines dental care use in metro and nonmetro populations of the Midwest. Discusses reasons for seeking dental care and breaks down usage according to gender, race, and geography.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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Tooth Loss and Dental Visits by Indigenous American Indian/Alaska Native Adults in the USA
Presents a study comparing rates of dental visits and missing teeth among rural and urban American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Breaks down data by demographic factors, such as age, income, and health insurance, among other factors.
Author(s): R Constance Wiener
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 23, 7679
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
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HCV Serostatus and Injection Sharing Practices Among Those Who Obtain Syringes From Pharmacies and Directly and Indirectly From Syringe Services Programs in Rural New England
Explores the effect that syringe services programs (SSPs) have on hepatitis C (HCV) infection rates in rural people who inject drugs (PWID). Breaks down data by user characteristics, such as age, employment, and syringe sharing practices, among others.
Author(s): Eric Romo, Abby E. Rudolph, Thomas J. Stopka, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 18
Date: 01/2023
Type: Document
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The Role of Algorithms in Oral Health Care and Disease Prevention and Management
Report discusses the use of algorithms to customize oral healthcare delivery. Explores algorithm-driven digital tools that can help prevent tooth loss and dental caries by predicting those most at risk based on demographic data. Highlights consumer perceptions of the use of algorithms by a number of demographic factors, such as age, income, employment, and rurality, among others.
Author(s): Lisa J. Heaton, Adrianna Sonnek, Angela Kyomugisa, et al.
Date: 01/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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Hidden Crisis: Pediatric Oral Health In Rural America
Highlights barriers to rural pediatric oral health, along with proposed solutions. Examines Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas, oral health literacy, and needed Medicaid reforms. Features model oral health programs in Washington, Montana, North Dakota, Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Louisiana, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland, and includes profiles of several rural providers.
Author(s): Michael A. Ignelzi, Tegwyn Brickhouse, Erica Caffrey, et al.
Date: 2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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Oral Healthcare in Rural America
Webinar highlighting oral healthcare in rural Texas and nationally. Discusses common oral health disparities, common causes of poor oral health, prevention measures, access to oral healthcare, insurance rates, and oral healthcare projects in Texas. Transcript for video available by clicking three dots under the video.
Date: 11/2022
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: University of Texas at Arlington Center for Rural Health and Nursing
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The Oral Health of American Indian and Alaska Native Adult Dental Patients 35 Years and Older A Follow-up Report to the 2015 Survey
Details the oral health of American Indian and Alaska Native adults over 35. Presents rates of AI/AN people with untreated decay and caries, severe periodontal disease, and missing teeth, among other measures. Compares AI/AN rates with the U.S. as a whole and with other ethnic groups.
Author(s): Kathy R. Phipps, Timothy L. Ricks, Nathan P. Mork, Timothy L. Lozon
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Indian Health Service
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Last Updated: 6/27/2024