The Iowa Pubic Policy Center found Iowa may soon face a dentist shortage, especially in rural areas, according to an abc 9 news.
Here are four takeaways:
1. Between 1997 and 2003, Iowa dentists, 55 years and older, increased from 23 percent to 42 percent.
2. The report found nearly half of Iowa's dentists are near retirement.
3. Between 1997 and 2013, the number of dentists practicing in rural areas fell from 49 percent to 36 percent.
4. While the data indicates the state may need to prepare for the shortage, researchers did not provide any potential solutions to the problem.
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