News Releases

N E W S

Release Date: April 12, 2007
For more information, contact: Virginia Elliott, Vice President for Programming, 800-369-7191 or velliott@healthfund.org

Survey shows many Kansans cannot afford needed oral health treatment

HUTCHINSON, KANSAS--The vast majority of patients at the sixth Kansas Mission of Mercy (KMOM) free dental clinic had gone without oral health care because of their inability to pay for services.

The survey conducted among the patients also found that nearly three-quarters of them had not been to a dentist in the past year, and more than half had not received dental care for over two years. For 7.4%, this was their first ever visit to a dentist. Extractions and fillings were the most common procedures needed; but other services were provided including cleanings and sealant applications for children.

The February 2-3 Mission of Mercy in Topeka provided over $1 million in free dental services to 1,815 patients. The survey reflected findings similar to the five previous KMOM free clinics at Garden City, Salina, Wichita, Pittsburg, and in Wyandotte County. The patients represented a full spectrum of ages, although 19- to 40-year-olds comprised the majority. Adults receive the bulk of KMOM services because very few adults in Kansas qualify for dental benefits under Medicaid. Medicaid and SCHIP (HealthWave) provide comprehensive dental care coverage for children from low-income families and, therefore few children receive KMOM services.

Moore mentioned efforts of the Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved to begin development of regional dental hubs as one especially important prospect for improvement in year-round treatment availability. Funding to start that concept is pending in the Kansas Legislature.

Valuable Data

The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund commissioned Kansas Health Institute, Topeka, to analyze the survey data. "Although the situation has improved for children, it's obvious there are still far too many Kansans in desperate need of oral health care. Well-founded information like this is vital as we continue to evaluate and determine potential systemic solutions," said Health Fund president Kim Moore.

While commending the Kansas Dental Association and Kansas Dental Hygienists Association for the Mission of Mercy free clinics, Moore said it is obvious a much greater problem exists than can be solved by volunteer efforts alone. "It is a real tribute to the profession that so many dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants donate their time and skills to make these free clinics possible," Moore commented, "But even with all that extra effort and dedication, we cannot adequately address all the suffering from oral health problems with the periodic availability of volunteer services."

The results of the Topeka survey are consistent with what the previous five revealed:

78.9% had no dental insurance.
73% had not been to a dentist in over a year, 56% in over two years. Lack of insurance, inability to pay out-of-pocket costs for needed services, and refusal of providers to see publicly-insured patients were the predominant reasons.
7.4% had never been to a dentist.
58% of the patients requiring further dental care did not know where they would be able to get the additional services.
The majority of patients were non-Hispanic white (68.2%), 18 years of age or older (84.5%), and female (54.2%).

Long-term solution still needed

In addition to helping at least some people in need, Moore believes, "The Missions of Mercy also serve to illustrate that statistics aren¹t just numbers; but real people with real health issues facing big impediments to finding a source for relieving their pain and distress." He pointed out there are some positive developments. Since the KMOM events in each community; Garden City, Salina, Pittsburg, and Wichita have enhanced oral health services for low-income residents with new full-time clinics, volunteer dentist rotation programs, or expansion of existing dental programs.

The six KMOM clinics have provided over $5.5 million of free services to more than 12,000 patients around the state. In addition to funding the surveys at the Mission of Mercy projects, the Health Fund provided grants for additional equipment and services required to conduct the free clinics. In the 20 years since its founding, the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund has provided over $44 million in funding for Kansas health issues.

Those wishing to review the full survey report concerning the Topeka Mission of Mercy can download it from www.healthfund.org. Information on the grant opportunities offered by the Health Fund is also available at the web site.

# # #