Dental
safety net clinics provide
dental care in community-based
nonprofit settings for
Virginians who
are uninsured or who
are enrolled in Medicaid,
FAMIS or FAMIS Plus.
The following is a list
of resources
for dental safety net
providers:
An index of resources, including online discussion groups, oral health listservs and
e-newsletters.
A link to the Virginia Dental
Association's website which
maintains an extensive list
of dental opportunities in
Virginia.
An index of national, state
and local demographic and
health statistics.
Helpful resources specific to operational issues for dental safety net clinics.
User-friendly best practices on a wide variety of issues specific to the dental safety net
An index of community foundations
and organizations, as well
as specific grants and funding
opportunities relevant to
the Virginia dental safety
net.
Comprehensive information about opportunities for dental professionals to have their loans repaid in return for a commitment to serving the dental safety net.
Links to organizations and associations with missions or membership related to the dental safety net.
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| Statistics |
- Research has shown clear associations between chronic oral infections and other health problems including diabetes, heart disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- People with periodontal disease are 1.5-to-2 times more likely to suffer a fatal heart attack and nearly three times more likely to suffer a stroke.
- Although dental caries (tooth decay) is largely preventable, it remains the most common chronic disease of children 5 to 17 years old - four times more common than asthma (42% versus 9.5%).
- For every child without medical insurance there are 2.6 children without dental insurance.
- Dental disease results in 250,000 lost school hours each year.
- Chronic oral infections can foster the development of clogged arteries and blood clots.
- Diabetic patients with severe periodontitis have greater difficulty maintaining normal blood sugar levels.
- Oral health is integral to general heath. In addition to detecting tooth decay, a thorough oral examination can reveal signs of nutritional deficiencies, systemic diseases, immune disorders, injuries and some cancers.
Sources: "Oral Health in America," U.S. Surgeon General's Report (2000); U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2010, vol II. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: US Gov Printing Office, 2002:21-11 to 21-15 |
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