The lack of access to dental care in South Dakota has been caused by geography and low incomes, with 40 percent of South Dakota counties considered dental health professional shortage areas, according to South Dakota News Watch.
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.
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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