| Autor: |
Hicks, Jeffery L., Challa, Suman N., Hendricson, William D., de la Torre, Magda A., Marwaha, Rochisha S. |
| Předmět: |
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| Zdroj: |
Texas Dental Journal; Aug2021, Vol. 138 Issue 8, p533-547, 14p |
| Abstrakt: |
This article delineates the status of access to oral health care in Texas. As a state with many underrepresented minority citizens, extensive rural areas, and high poverty rates in many geographic areas, Texas has developed a great need for oral health care providers. A literature search was conducted that sought factors that have led to the need for and access to oral health care among the general and specific populations in Texas. Specific populations require health care providers not only that are professionally competent but who can deliver care with high cultural competency. However, the ethnic and cultural background of current providers does not match the rates of citizens in underrepresented minority groups. In 2019, 21% of all third grade children in Texas had untreated decay. In contrast, the untreated caries prevalence among Mexican American and poor children was 33%. There are insufficient numbers of oral health care providers in Texas to deliver effective care. Unemployment and under-insurability of citizens contributes to financial barriers in seeking care. The oral health workforce must address health issues in communities and significant societal/ demographic changes creating challenges to the health care system. Providers must acquire new competencies to address population-based health needs. It is important to increase the number of underrepresented minority groups who are providers because they are more likely to practice where services are in short supply and more likely to practice in areas with high percentages of racial and ethnic populations. Dental educational programs must increase support for enrollment of students from underrepresented minority, low-income, and rural populations, and recruit and retain faculty with experience and expertise in caring for underserved and vulnerable populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Databáze: |
Complementary Index |
| Externí odkaz: |
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