Major Shortage of Dentists in Kansas

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Residents of 93 counties in Kansas are facing a shortage of dentists, it has been revealed. Of the 93 counties with a shortage, 13 have no dentist at all.

According to the Kansas Dental Project, hundreds of thousands of people living in Kansas are going without dental treatment, because they cannot access a dentist. The shortage of dentists is affecting people’s oral health, as well as their social and professional lives and their general health, as poor oral health is linked to an increased risk of a host of medical problems.

Shannon Cotsoradis, President and CEO of Kansas Action for Children, believes that new legislation is required to improve access to dental services. Legislation, which has now been introduced in the chambers of Kansas Legislature, will enable registered dental practitioners to train and work in the state. The bill will enable dental practitioners to perform a number of dental procedures under the supervision of a dentist. The proposal has been supported by the Kansas Health Consumer Coalition, Kansas Action for Children and the Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved, however, the proposal has been rejected by the Kansas Dental Association.

The Kansas Dental Association has rejected the proposals because members believe that dental treatments should only be provided by licensed dentists.

 

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