According to the Florida Department of Health, there were 11,362 dentists with active state licenses during the 2017-2018 fiscal year, of which 794 were first-time licenses. Given that the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest estimate of Florida’s population was about 21 million, that means there is one dentist for every 1,848 people.
Clearly, there is a shortage of dental care in the state, which is having a profound effect on underserved communities. The question remains as to how to fill the gap, however.
What communities are being impacted?
According to the Florida Department of Health, dental health is a looming problem for children in underserved communities. In a study of
What can be done about Florida’s dental care shortage?
The Florida Dental Association believes that there are a number of steps that can be taken to alleviate the shortage of dentists. One is to enact legislation that provides new dentists with loan forgiveness for their student loans in exchange for working in public health or in communities where more dental care is critically needed.
The group has asked the Florida Legislature to appropriate $500,000 in funding for a loan forgiveness program for 10 dental students who would be willing to participate. It is unclear whether there are sufficient resources to fund a more expansive exchange program
Recently, an advocacy group called Floridians for Dental Access proposed a different approach to addressing Florida’s dental care shortage — dental therapists. The group has asked lawmakers to approve a new health care license that would permit dental therapists to perform activities such as basic clinical dental treatment and preventive services. The dental therapists would only perform such services under the supervision of licensed dentists. The proposal has the support of some Florida lawmakers.
The Commission
The Takeaway
Dentists are faced with the challenge of providing quality care while running a successful practice. Meanwhile, there is an urgent need for greater access to dental care in underserved communities not only in Florida but throughout the nation. Ultimately, resolving the shortage of dental care will ultimately require a collaborative approach among the dental community, dental schools, and policymakers.