Albert H Guay1. 1. American Dental Association, Chicago, Ill. 60611, USA. guaya@ada.org
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Solutions to the problem of limited access to dental care for some segments of the population are being sought. Certain factors in access-to-dental-care program design are critical to the success of these programs. OVERVIEW: The author discusses the triad of factors that are essential in the successful design and operation of programs aimed at improving access to dental care for underserved populations. CONCLUSIONS: The author found that attention must be paid to creating an effective demand for dental care, an adequate dental work force to respond to that demand and an economic environment that enables patients and dentists to participate in any programs that are aimed at improving access to care. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Failure to adequately address demand, work force and economic factors will condemn any program designed to increase access to dental care to failure at worst, or to limited success at best.
BACKGROUND: Solutions to the problem of limited access to dental care for some segments of the population are being sought. Certain factors in access-to-dental-care program design are critical to the success of these programs. OVERVIEW: The author discusses the triad of factors that are essential in the successful design and operation of programs aimed at improving access to dental care for underserved populations. CONCLUSIONS: The author found that attention must be paid to creating an effective demand for dental care, an adequate dental work force to respond to that demand and an economic environment that enables patients and dentists to participate in any programs that are aimed at improving access to care. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Failure to adequately address demand, work force and economic factors will condemn any program designed to increase access to dental care to failure at worst, or to limited success at best.
Authors: Mustafa Naseem; Altaf H Shah; Muhammad Faheem Khiyani; Zohaib Khurshid; Muhammad Sohail Zafar; Shabnam Gulzar; AlBandary H AlJameel; Hesham S Khalil Journal: Ann Stomatol (Roma) Date: 2017-01-10
Authors: Mei Lin; William Sappenfield; Leticia Hernandez; Cheryl Clark; Jihong Liu; Jennifer Collins; Adam C Carle Journal: Matern Child Health J Date: 2012-12