Toothless In Kentucky

I was shocked to hear about the impact of poverty, drug abuse, and traditional eating habits on oral health in KY. Would you believe that 1 in 10 residents are missing not just a few but all their teeth? Would you believe that people addicted to pain killers routinely crack healthy teeth one by one so they can get prescriptions for more drugs. And how about teenagers who have lost virtually all their teeth due to chronic malnutrition? Sadly the problem doesn't stop at the state line. Residents in neighboring states suffer similar problems. For instance,  W. Virginia has the highest percentage of people over 65 without teeth and the lowest number of people who see a dentist at least once a year.

Kentucky is among the worst states nationally in the proportion of low-income residents served by free or subsidized dental clinics.  According to federal data less than 25% of the state's dentists accept Medicaid. And even if they did, it wouldn't be of much help. For  seriously infected teeth, the only thing Medicaid will pay for is for them to be pulled.  No root canals. No dentures. Although it will help pay for a liquid diet for those with no teeth!

The situation would be even worse if it weren't for the dedication of dentists such as Dr. Edwin E. Smith who has created a mobile free clinic in a converted 18-wheeler to attend to the dental needs of children in impoverished rural areas.