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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Oral health

The Role of Algorithms in Oral Health Care and Disease Prevention and Management
Report discusses the use of algorithms to customize oral healthcare delivery. Explores algorithm-driven digital tools that can help prevent tooth loss and dental caries by predicting those most at risk based on demographic data. Highlights consumer perceptions of the use of algorithms by a number of demographic factors, such as age, income, employment, and rurality, among others.
Author(s): Lisa J. Heaton, Adrianna Sonnek, Angela Kyomugisa, et al.
Date: 01/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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Oregon Areas of Unmet Health Care Need Report 2022
Covers nine variables that describe areas of unmet healthcare need in Oregon and measure access to primary care, mental, and oral healthcare services. Areas of unmet need are scored based on variables within the following categories: availability of providers, ability to afford care, and utilization. Includes statistics and county-level information by service areas.
Date: 12/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Oregon Office of Rural Health
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The Oral Health of American Indian and Alaska Native Adult Dental Patients 35 Years and Older A Follow-up Report to the 2015 Survey
Details the oral health of American Indian and Alaska Native adults over 35. Presents rates of AI/AN people with untreated decay and caries, severe periodontal disease, and missing teeth, among other measures. Compares AI/AN rates with the U.S. as a whole and with other ethnic groups.
Author(s): Kathy R. Phipps, Timothy L. Ricks, Nathan P. Mork, Timothy L. Lozon
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Indian Health Service
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Seeking Solutions: Dental Health and Disabilities in Indiana
Assesses needs of Indianans related to dental health and disabilities utilizing information gained from secondary research as well as interviews, focus groups, and surveys. Includes statistics on those with healthcare needs, explanation of report framework, and literature review covering availability, accessibility, accommodation, acceptability, and affordability of services. Includes case studies focused on rural areas.
Author(s): Megan Wilkinson, Angel Winchester, Alysia Marshall-Seslar, Lettie Haver, Barbie Vartanian
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: AWS Foundation, Delta Dental Foundation, McMillen Health
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Improving the Oral Health of Rural Veterans
Report explores rural veterans' access to oral healthcare. Compares the oral health of rural and urban veterans, highlights barriers to oral healthcare in rural areas, and makes recommendations for expanding access to oral healthcare.
Author(s): Annaliese Cothron, Hayam Megally, Don Clermont
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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Dental Therapy Resource Guide
Describes the role of dental therapists in expanding access to dental health care in rural and underserved communities. Outlines the status of state laws and regulations regarding dental therapy education and practice as of August 2021. Compares the scope of practice of dental therapists to other dental care providers.
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
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Patterns of Health Care Use among Rural-Urban Medicare Beneficiaries Age 85 and Older, 2010-2017
Policy brief examining how rural and urban Medicare beneficiaries age 85+ differ in terms of their socioeconomic and health characteristics that may inform healthcare use. Features statistics on trends in healthcare use, including inpatient and emergency department care, outpatient and prescription services, specialists and dentists, and home health and durable medical equipment, with breakdowns by urban and rural location.
Author(s): Yvonne Jonk, Heidi O'Connor, Amanda Burgess, Carly Milkowski
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Health Professional Shortage Areas: Dental Care
Printable map that shows nonmetropolitan and micropolitan dental care HPSAs on one color scale and metropolitan dental care HPSAs on another. Data source: data.HRSA.gov
Date: 11/2022
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Teledentistry Trends in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Reviews the use of teledentistry during and following the COVID-19 pandemic in California, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, and examines reimbursement issues and supports needed to enhance dental care in a post-COVID-19 world. Mentions rural throughout.
Author(s): Miranda Werts, Prashanta Patel, Elizabeth Mertz
Date: 10/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Oral Health Workforce Research Center
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The Financial and Policy Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on U.S. Dental Care Workers
Research brief evaluating trends and differences of the dental healthcare workforce before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Assesses the impact of dental healthcare worker (DHCW) shortages by state and geographic region, and mentions rural throughout. Features statistics on wages and total number of employed DHCWs by profession type from 2015-2021, and a state-level map showing percent change in DHCWs from 2019-2021.
Author(s): Sean Boynes, Hayam Megally, Don Clermont, et al.
Date: 10/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Institute of Dental Public Health
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