Barriers to Oral Healthcare in Rural Communities

Rural populations face a range of barriers that affect access to oral healthcare, including:

• Low provider-to-population ratios
• Inadequate number of dentists who accept Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program or who have discounted fee schedules
• Insufficient or lack of dental insurance benefits
• Lack of transportation
• Lack of child care
• Insufficient levels or lack of access to water fluoridation
• Lack of awareness and education about oral health
• Geographic barriers to care
• Poverty
• stigma

For additional information on the factors that affect health in rural communities, see Overview of Specific Issues in a Rural Context in the Rural Community Health Toolkit.