Why Ohio’s Dental Shortage Means More Than Just Bad Breath Issues!

This article was originally published on Aug. 7, 2024.

Meet Hal Jeter, the heart and soul of family dentistry in South Point, Ohio, where the rivers of Kentucky and West Virginia kiss the Buckeye State. For nearly 30 years, Hal has been transforming the dental experience for kids, turning what could be a terrifying trip to the dentist into an exciting adventure filled with fun and laughter.

On a sun-soaked August day, Hal was working his magic with a fearless second grader, playfully encouraging her as he applied a dental sealant. “Open wide, like an alligator!” he exclaimed, injecting joy into every moment. “This is magic paint! It starts off pink, and with a little blue light, it transforms to white!”

But behind the playful facade, there’s a pressing concern. Hal’s practice is feeling the strain; in the past year, the office has lost three dental hygienists. The result? Overwhelmed staff and a backlog of patients in need of care.

“We’ve had to turn away 10, 11, 12 patients daily because we simply don’t have the hygienic capacity to accommodate them,” Hal lamented.

But the challenges don’t stop at the office door. Across Ohio, a staggering number of counties are grappling with a severe shortage of dental professionals. In fact, more than 30 counties lack sufficient dentists to meet the oral health needs of their communities. This is particularly acute in southeast Ohio, where access to dental care feels like a distant dream for many.

Navigating the Dental Care Desert

The absence of dental care providers hits rural and low-income areas hardest, leaving many Appalachian counties with fewer than 10 providers servicing their populations.

“Some counties don’t have a single dental provider accepting Medicaid,” explained Marla Morse, the executive director of Oral Health Ohio, a coalition dedicated to improving oral health care access. “For many in Southeast Ohio, seeking dental care means leaving their county altogether.”

As a result, countless Ohioans are missing their essential biannual check-ups. The implications go beyond just bad breath; untreated dental issues can lead to tooth decay, infections, and even chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.

“You simply cannot have a healthy body without a healthy mouth,” stressed Morse.

This shortage comes at a steep price. Skipping regular check-ups often leads to emergency room visits for dental issues, which puts additional strain on healthcare costs statewide. According to the Ohio Department of Health, the state faced a jaw-dropping price tag of $738 million from 2016 to 2019.

Cultivating a New Workforce

The current shortage of dental services in rural areas creates a cycle of despair, according to Frank Beck, a dental educator in northeast Ohio. Unfortunately, this issue has persisted for over 25 years, making oral health the number one unmet healthcare need in the state.

Addressing this complex problem isn’t straightforward. The path to becoming a dentist is paved with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, making it economically challenging for graduates to practice in low-income and rural regions.

To counter this, Beck is collaborating with Northeast Ohio Medical University to launch a new dental school next fall. Students at the Bitonte School of Dentistry will gain hands-on experience at rural community health centers, increasing the likelihood they will choose to stay in those areas post-graduation.

“When students are embedded within rural and underserved populations, they are far more likely to remain there,” Beck asserted. “That’s the silver bullet we need.”

And the efforts don’t stop there. The Ohio Dental Association has initiated a dental loan repayment program, while several counties are utilizing state funding to kickstart training programs for dental support staff in the Appalachian region.

April Floyd, a dedicated dental hygienist with 25 years at Jeter’s practice, is hopeful these initiatives will yield results. “I’d love to take a step back and slow down, but right now, I can’t. Our patients need us more than ever,” she said, highlighting the importance of her work amidst growing demand for dental services.

If she were to retire now, that long waitlist would stretch even longer, denying patients the care they desperately need.