Oklahoma Dental Foundation

PROJECT PURPOSE

The project improves the dental health of Oklahomans statewide by providing oral health care through five mobile dental units strategically based in five geographic regions, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Southeast and Central. This is truly a statewide initiative, and we could service every county consistently with this project. The project entails a small investment which would lead to a large and long-term impact on the health of under-resourced Oklahomans. This investment will provide immediate relief to Oklahomans who are currently in pain and without the ability to access dental services, and it will also begin to build a community network of organizations that can work in conjunction with the mobile units to educate entire communities on the importance of oral health and connect those needing additional services to appropriate resources. Finally, the educational opportunities for dental students cannot be undervalued. Oklahomans, particularly in rural counties, have among the fewest dental providers per capita in the nation. By giving more dental students exposure to real patients throughout the state, this program not only improves the quality of the education but also increases the likelihood that a dental graduate might consider becoming a provider in an underserved area.

EVIDENCE

There are three issues behind poor oral care ODF solves 1) access to care (the ability to get to a dentist), 2) affordability and 3) the belief that oral health is not important to one?s health. The need is great. According to the Oklahoma Oral Health Coalition, Oklahoma scored a D on its 2020 report card. With numbers as high as 66% of third graders have treated or untreated tooth decay, only 58% of adults visited the dentist last year and 21% of seniors 65+ have lost all their natural teeth due to decay or gum disease.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

ODF will provide services to under-resourced communities and populations most impacted by COVID. Expansion with five mobile clinics allows us to partner with organizations statewide and maintain a consistent presence in different geographic regions. In this manner, we can target and expand treatment to the most vulnerable areas and individuals lacking access to dental care. Oklahoma has a dentist shortage. In 2013, the state-designated 56 counties as dental shortage areas and four counties didn?t have dentists. Because dentists are retiring, this issue is becoming more problematic. Access to care remains a challenge. Approximately 50 percent of residents don?t have dental insurance. Until recently, SoonerCare, Oklahoma?s Medicaid program, provided limited dental coverage to adults with a focus on tooth extraction, not care. ODF knows these issues and has experience with counties having populations lacking dental care. We know where the most comprehensive oral health issues are located and because we have the flexibility of mobile units, can target these areas for the most impact. Additionally, we have partnered with nonprofit organizations throughout the state and can target services to help the most vulnerable or in need: seniors, veterans, low-income youth, unemployed, etc.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

We will document the number of days MobileSmiles serves patients, the number of patients treated and the number and types of treatments. Records are created and maintained to document patients seen, cost and procedures provided. We monitor patients? oral health. When we return, we document dental ailments. A decrease in oral concerns indicates education and services are successful. Each patient completes a survey rating care. Students and dentists are surveyed and indicate how they thought the program was managed, how patient interactions transpired and what improvements could be made. We conduct partner organization surveys and monitor before and after waiting lists.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma