The eyes may be windows to the soul, but the mouth is the gateway to the entire body. That’s because dental healthcare can be a gauge of overall health. Despite decades of research about the importance of dental health and the repercussions of neglecting teeth and gums, many Americans still lack access to the dental care they need. Only 63% of American adults saw a dentist in the last year. More alarming? Over 25% of young and middle-aged adults have untreated cavities, and almost half of adults over the age of 30 have gum disease.

While these seem like dental health issues on the surface, they have much larger implications. Evidence about how oral health affects overall health abounds. The bacteria that cause gum disease, cavities, and other common oral health issues can cause harm in other parts of the body. Evidence suggests a connection between oral health and heart disease, pneumonia, Alzheimer’s, and different types of dementia.

Solvere Health partners with Fidelis Care through mobile dental clinics and group dental events throughout New York State. Fidelis Care and Solvere’s partnership is committed to addressing health equity disparities. Too often, those living in underserved communities don’t have access to the necessary care. Solvere Health and Fidelis Care work with municipalities to develop a community-first approach to dental healthcare.

Considering each area’s unique situational constraints and challenges, it’s important to create a detailed plan that will encourage trial of the dental healthcare service and nurture the future participation of community members.

Meeting the patient where they are

The first step is to understand the demographics and psychographics of the patient base. Next is consideration of any area-specific challenges that arise from:

• Geography
• Climate
• Infrastructure (technology, transportation, roadways)
• Clinician availability
• Public funding
• Insurance reimbursement, including Medicare/Medicaid
• HIPAA and other regulatory compliance

All of these factors inform the strategic recommendation and configuration of our service delivery.

Comprehensive strategies include community outreach

With community needs identified, organizations must develop a plan to build trust and encourage trial for services. This may include initiatives such as publicly shared patient education campaigns featuring educational videos about the quality-of-life impact of regular dental healthcare. Additionally, it may be beneficial to host free or low-cost dental education events in schools or public facilities to expand the adoption of the planned dental care offerings. Solvere Health brings frontline insight to the collaboration for identifying the optimal variety of outreach to encourage community participation.

School-based dental programs improve oral health awareness and outcomes in children

School-based dental programs are proven to be effective in promoting oral health among children. These programs are offered on-site at schools, providing preventive and restorative dental services, including cleanings, fluoride treatments, and fillings. By bringing dental care to schools, these programs eliminate barriers that prevent children from receiving regular check-ups, such as lack of transportation or parental supervision. Moreover, they educate students on proper oral hygiene practices, instilling healthy habits early on to prevent future dental problems and improve overall health outcomes.

Establishing dental homes through mobile health solutions

The success of mobile dental solutions lies in establishing long-term programs that provide continuous comprehensive care for underserved communities. A dental home is where individuals can receive ongoing dental care from a trusted healthcare professional. Solvere Health partners with government agencies, community organizations, and health departments to offer regular dental services. Through this approach, patients receive consistent care and build a relationship with their dental provider, which leads to reduced emergency dental situations and physical health complications caused by poor oral health.