MI News Wire - MDCH Surveys Provide Comprehensive Data On Michigan's Oral Health Workforce

MI News Wire - MDCH Surveys Provide Comprehensive Data On Michigan's Oral Health Workforce:

"The survey also found that the vast majority of Medicaid and uninsured dental patients are seen by a small minority of dental providers.

-- 64 percent of dentists report that none of their patients in a typical month are children covered by Medicaid or MIChild, and 1 percent of survey respondents report seeing an average of 250 or more of these patients each month.

-- 86 percent report that none of their patients in a typical month are adults covered by Medicaid, and one percent of respondents report seeing an average of 60 or more of these patients each month.

-- 75 percent report seeing 20 or fewer uninsured children in a typical month, while one percent of respondents see an average of 300 or more of these patients each month.

-- 75 percent also report seeing 30 or fewer uninsured adults each month, while one percent of respondents see an average of 500 or more of these patients each month.

According to Dr. Sheila Semler, oral health director at MDCH, "Dental access remains a serious issue in Michigan. With the slowing economy, reduction in Medicaid reimbursement for dental procedures, and a workforce that is focused on private practice, dental care for the economically disadvantaged and minority populations is almost non-existent."

Michigan is 86% Fluoridated