From the #deltadentalARFoundation: And then there are none. Dentists, that is.

Most Arkansas counties (65 of 75 or almost 87%) are fully or partially designated as Dental Care Health Professions Shortage Areas (HPSAs). In plain English, “Too many Arkansans lack access to a dentist.”

A dentistry program by UAMS - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock seeks to address the shortage.

Established in 2013, the General Practice Dental Residency Program places residents in three Little Rock facilities to provide care for underserved and vulnerable Arkansans. During their one-year training, the residents rotate through UAMS’ own Oral Health Clinic, the UAMS 12th St. Health & Wellness Center and the Harmony Health Clinic on Roosevelt Street. Not only do the patients receive much-needed dental treatments, but the residents gain an invaluable education in community dentistry. 

The two-fold outcome is the program’s goal, explained Ashley McMillan, DDS, program director. “[We want to] care for the medically compromised and vulnerable patient populations of the state, and solve the maldistribution of dental providers in Arkansas [by providing] the state with a greater number and source of highly qualified dentists,” she said.

Consequently, the annual recruitment efforts focus on applicants who want to remain in Arkansas and even practice in an underserved area, Ashley added. 

The patients treated through the Dental Residency Program have diverse backgrounds—most likely more diverse than those seeking care in private, general dentistry clinics.

Many are UAMS cancer patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy with damaging effects on gums and teeth. Others have never or rarely seen a dentist due to lack of access or insurance. Some are homeless. Some can barely enunciate clearly or eat properly due to missing or decayed teeth; others can’t find jobs because the poor condition of their teeth alarms prospective employers. 

They have one thing in common: “Once their teeth and smiles are restored, they gain renewed self-confidence,” Ashley said. 

We’re so excited to help more Arkansans gain access to life-changing dental care that we have supported the Dental Residency Program for several years now, most recently with a 2021 #communitygrant. 

Does your organization change lives? Let us assist. Check out our funding opportunities here or give us a call. We’d love to talk to you.

 

This story was first published on our Facebook and Instagram pages.