Dental Care Access
Definition
Ability to obtain preventive and restorative dental services necessary for oral health. Dental coverage is often separate from medical insurance, and Medicaid dental benefits for adults are limited in many states. Poor dental access leads to preventable tooth loss, chronic pain, infections, difficulty eating nutritious food, barriers to employment (due to appearance), and overall health problems (oral health affects heart disease, diabetes, pregnancy outcomes).
Louisville Context
Louisville faces severe dental access problems, particularly for low-income adults. Kentucky Medicaid covers limited adult dental services (only extractions and emergency care, no preventive care or restorations). Few dentists accept Medicaid due to low reimbursement. Sliding scale dental clinics have months-long wait lists. Emergency rooms see thousands of dental-related visits annually—expensive, inappropriate care that doesn’t address underlying problems.
Why It Matters
Dental problems cause immense suffering while creating barriers to employment and perpetuating poverty. Tooth pain makes eating, sleeping, working, and parenting difficult. Visible tooth loss creates stigma and employment discrimination. Lack of preventive dental care forces reliance on extractions—a permanent loss that affects nutrition, health, and self-esteem.
Dave’s Proposal
Dave will partner with University of Louisville School of Dentistry to expand community dental clinics operated by dental students under supervision, providing low-cost preventive and restorative care. Community Wellness Centers will host mobile dental clinics in underserved neighborhoods. He’ll advocate for Kentucky to expand Medicaid adult dental benefits. Programs funded within $1.025 billion budget.