Around 12.8 percent of residents live below the federal poverty line. South Dakota has one of the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rates in the U.S., and many of South Dakota’s rural, urban and reservation residents don’t receive proper dental care. Access is also inhibited by the state’s small population distributed across a large area.
Officials report that some progress has been made, with more adults and children seeing a dentist at least once a year, but improvement among low-income people has stagnated.
“The rates of decay haven’t changed significantly in the last 10 years or so,” Paul Knecht, director of the South Dakota Dental Association told South Dakota News Watch.
More articles on dental:
How Smile Brands has grown to a 400-supported office DSO: CEO Steve Bilt shares insight
Orthodontist used headlamp to treat patients during California power outage
Patients line up in middle of the night to receive free care at Florida clinic
At the Becker's 5th Annual Future of Dentistry Roundtable, taking place November 12–14 in Chicago, dental leaders and executives will gain insights into emerging technologies, practice growth strategies and the evolving landscape of dental care delivery, with a focus on innovation, patient experience and operational excellence. Apply for complimentary registration now.
