An assessment of dental care for the underserved

Despite changes and improvements in the delivery of dental-care in the United States, almost half the population is "by current standards of dental practice, a medically underserved population." The impact of fluoridation has reduced the incidence and resultant prevalence of dental caries, and insurance and alternative payment systems have helped to improve access to dental care for many Americans, but a large underserved population has not reaped the full benefits of these positive developments. This paper analyzes some major inequities of dental-care delivery in the United States and proposes some policy solutions.