North Dakotans postponing dental treatment
A large proportion of North Dakotans are postponing dental appointments and putting off dental treatment as a result of costs, it has been revealed.
Rachel Gustafson, a dental hygienist from Valley Community Health Centers, said that the situation was worrying and urged people to attend regular check-ups. The centres offer a sliding scale fee system, which means that patients only pay what they can afford. Gustafson claims that there is no excuse for people to put off dental treatment, as the centre can cater for people from all financial and social backgrounds.
According to Gustafson, there is a widespread lack of awareness about oral health amongst people in rural areas of North Dakota. Many adults suffer from extensive oral health problems and a large proportion of children are also developing problems, such as cavities and gum disease. Gustafson claims that many parents turn a blind eye to children’s oral health and this is consequently resulting in many children suffering from untreated tooth decay.
In order to improve standards of oral health across the region, dentists are trying to raise awareness of the importance of oral health and the potential dangers associated with poor oral health. Many dentists and hygienists are trying to target children and teach them about oral hygiene and healthy eating in a bid to encourage them to look after their teeth and gums and pass on good habits to others.
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