If you have attempted to make a dental appointment, seek a new provider, or establish a dental home within the last few years, you likely have experienced the dental crisis firsthand. Every day, especially in rural parts of the state, households face difficulties finding a dental provider with openings, transportation to and from appointments, and navigating insurance and medical assistance programs.
A 2021 Community Needs Assessment, conducted by United Way of 1000 Lakes, underscored access to dental care among the key issues individuals and families face concerning their health and wellness. These findings were reinforced through community engagements led by the Forward Health Foundation. As a result, the two organizations formed a partnership aimed at expanding oral health access in Itasca County and surrounding communities.
The organizations convened a group of experts and stakeholders to explore current opportunities, strategies for expanding care, and existing challenges for dental providers and those who depend on them. In early 2024, a Dental Collaboration of area leaders, decision-makers, and representatives across sectors, including nonprofits, local dentists, local government, educators, and caring community members formed.
While there is no single fix to improve dental access, several key themes have emerged and are at the center of their work together, including oral health literacy, community-based dental care expansion, dental career exploration and internship programs, state and local grants and scholarship navigation, and workforce recruitment and retention strategies.
Oral health is linked to overall health and well-being, impacting education outcomes, employability, emergency department use, and health disparities. According to Mayo Clinic, problems with teeth and gums can lead to other health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. Dental problems also interfere with a child’s readiness to learn and impact school attendance, detrimentally affecting a child’s quality of life and success later in life. According to one study published in the American Journal of Public Health, on average, elementary children miss a total of 6 days per year, and 2.1 days of missed school were due to dental problems.
“Dental hygiene [brushing properly, flossing daily, and keeping up with dental appointments] is so important for everyone,” stated Shane Troumbly, Itasca County Public Health Educator. “It’s how we talk, how we get nourishment, and how we feel. Being healthy lets you focus on education, work, and wellness.”
Lower socioeconomic status is linked to a higher prevalence of dental caries (or cavities) and periodontal disease, due to limited access to dental care and preventive services. A coalition of dental providers is improving access to urgent care through the Dentist of the Day program, for Itasca Medical Care (IMCare) members experiencing emergent or crisis dental needs. Additionally, the IMCare in network providers were expanded to include Northern Dental Access Center (Bemidji, MN). Community-based services like Children’s Dental Services offer mobile clinics several times a year, serving up to eight uninsured or underinsured individuals during each clinic. Programs like these play an important part in reducing health disparities and benefit the community by helping to move dental care out of emergency hospital settings and reducing healthcare costs.
Staffing shortages are just one obstacle local dental providers face. A recent survey from the American Dental Association confirms the continuation of this trend, which worsened during the pandemic. Dental Assistant and Dental Hygienist positions have consistently been regarded as the most challenging to fill. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development cites these two professions as critical occupations in demand for northeast Minnesota. Work is underway to offer dental career exploration opportunities in partnership with IASC NEXT Career Pathways and foster partnerships with accredited college programs in the region. While other strategies focus on attracting and retaining talent to the area and supporting scholarship and loan forgiveness programs.
“I am very impressed with all the research and legwork that they [United Way and Forward Health Foundation] have put into learning more about the ins and outs of the dental access issue in Itasca County,” shared Dr. Lisa Johnson, DDS, Grand Dental Center. “As a dentist, it is frustrating to not be able to see everyone we wish we could, and it is refreshing that this collaborative is bringing to light the issues facing providers and the community alike.”
To grow public support and awareness, United Way and Forward Health Foundation joined Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation’s Seeds of Change Campaign to help fund the coalition’s work and projects that accelerate access to dental care.
Community members passionate about dental access are encouraged to show their support by casting a vote online for “United Way/Forward Health Foundation” at gracf.org, Seeds of Change campaign. The program receiving the most votes will advance as a finalist with the opportunity to receive a grant award. Voting is open until August 2, 2024.
Supporters who want to make a monetary donation or investment in the work can do so by giving directly online at uwlakes.org/#donate (select Dental Collaboration from the drop-down menu) or mail a check to United Way (350 NW 1st Ave., Suite A, Grand Rapids, MN 55744) or Forward Health Foundation (PO Box 367, Deer River, MN 56636). To direct your gift, please write ‘Dental Collaboration’ in the memo line.
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