Many Medicaid recipients do not have dental coverage or cannot find providers that will accept Medicaid patients. Communities are addressing the dental access problem in many different ways. Free clinics are expanding their services to include dental care. Communities are starting and expanding stand-alone dental clinics. Dental societies are developing referral networks of dentists who will see patients for free in their offices.
Dental schools have clinics staffed by faculty and students.
Health departments are funding school-based clinics. Mobile dental vans are bringing dental care to people in rural areas. In some communities, multiple agencies are coming together to form collaborations aimed at creating more extensive systems change. Volunteers in Health Care can provide technical assistance to organizations and communities working to improve access to dental care. These agencies and foundations have indicated a particular interest in oral health and dental care.