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Keywords

nursing homes, access to care, mobile dental clinics

Abstract

Oral health is a critical component of overall wellbeing, yet disparities in access to dental care disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, particularly elderly residents in nursing homes. Poor oral hygiene is linked to systemic health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cognitive decline. Despite federal regulations mandating oral health assessments in nursing homes, many facilities lack adequate resources, and care often falls to undertrained staff. This study assesses the availability of onsite dental care services in New York State’s nursing homes and the role of mobile dental clinics in bridging the access gap, especially in rural and underserved areas. A mixed-methods approach combining geospatial analysis and a review of publicly available datasets was employed. The study analyzed dental care resources in 603 licensed nursing homes, focusing on facilities in dental health professional shortage areas (HPSAs). Results revealed that only 198 of New York’s nursing homes provide onsite dental services, with significant service gaps in HPSA-designated counties. Additionally, only 17 organizations offer mobile dental services across the state, further limiting access to care for nursing home residents in underserved regions. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions, including expanding mobile dental clinics and im- proving onsite dental care services. A phased implementation of mobile dental units, prioritizing nursing homes in full shortage areas, is proposed as a cost-effective solution to address these disparities. By focusing on collaborative community partnerships, this approach could significantly improve oral health outcomes and serve as a model for addressing healthcare disparities in other underserved populations.

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