News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: July 13, 2004
For more information, contact: Kim Moore, President, 620-662-8586
The full survey reports described below can be found here

Survey shows availability of oral health treatment lacking in Kansas

Hutchinson, Kansas - Results of a survey by the Kansas Health Institute, done in conjunction with a recent free dental clinic, reinforce the need for improved access to oral health services in the state.

This is the latest of the surveys conducted at each of the three Mission of Mercy free clinics offered around the state. Compiled during the clinic in Pittsburg, this survey reflects the situation of the 2,158 patients who came for free dental services April 30 through May 2.

The survey was commissioned by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund in its continuing effort to evaluate oral health issues in Kansas and help find solutions to the problems. The Hutchinson-based Health Fund also funded the surveys conducted at the two previous Mission of Mercy free clinics in Garden City, February 2003, and in Wyandotte County, August 2003.

Dental visits sparse

"We find these statistics alarming and a sad commentary on the lack of progress with oral health treatment availability," said Kim Moore, president of the Health Fund. Of the patients treated at the Pittsburg clinic, 73% had not visited a dentist in over a year and 56% in over two years. Seven percent reported this opportunity to be the first time they had seen a dentist. Most of the patients came from an area within an hour's drive of Pittsburg, but 10% traveled more than two hours to receive the free services.

"Those of us with adequate insurance coverage, who have our regular check-ups and cleanings, and have the resources to seek immediate care for an oral health emergency, may not fully appreciate the plight of so many others for whom oral health treatment seems an unaffordable luxury," Moore commented. He was among the approximately 900 volunteers -- dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and project supporters -- who staffed each of the free clinics.

At the Garden City free clinic, 27% of the 1,734 patients stated they had never received previous dental services, while 17% of the 2,600 at the Wyandotte County event were seeing a dentist for the first time. The Kansas Mission of Mercy is a project of the Kansas Dental Charitable Foundation organized by the Kansas Dental Association in cooperation with the Kansas Dental Hygienists Association.

Statistics reflect access limitations

Moore said the free clinics have dramatically illustrated the critical limitations to oral health treatment in the state and the need to improve the availability of dental services, especially for those with limited income.

"If you can't pay for a dentist, about your only hope is to find a dentist willing to volunteer services," said Moore. "Medicaid provides almost no adult dental benefits and access by children to Medicaid dental services is very limited in most areas of the state."

Other key findings from the Pittsburg Mission of Mercy included:

80.7% cited no insurance, and therefore the inability to pay, as the reason for not having sought treatment elsewhere.
41% of the patients reported being told they would require further care, and nearly half of those didn't feel they had anywhere to turn for those services.
17.8% of the patients were 18 or younger, 53% were 19 to 40 years of age, 28% were 41 to 64, and the remainder were 65 and older.

"These clinics have turned the statistics into real people with real health problems," Moore said. "And the surveys provide valuable insight so the Health Fund can continue its mission to address the needs of oral health across 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 provide the free clinics.

Since 1998, the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund has awarded 151 grants totaling more than $3.9 million to fund oral health prevention programs, including water fluoridation in nine Kansas communities.

The exit survey studies may be viewed here on the Health Fund website.

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