The federal government estimates that more than 49 million Americans live in areas designated as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas, where there is less than one full-time equivalent dentist for a population of 3000 people.
Vermont has about 355 dentists working in the state. More than half of them are over 50 years old. And with the most recent stats showing that the state only seems to be gaining 1 dentist a year, Vermont may be looking at the same sorts of problems that have sprung up all over the country-not enough access to dental services for the general population and underserved populations with no access because they don’t have enough-or any-insurance.
VPR’s Jane Lindholm talks with the Executive Director of the Vermont State Dental Society, Peter Taylor, and St. Johnsbury dentist Dr. David McLean.
Photo credit: AP/Jans Meyer