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Collaborations with other Health Professionals and Organizations
Better collaboration among dental and medical professionals can help more families understand their dental health is a crucial part of their overall health . With minimal training , physicians , nurses , and others can dramatically increase the number of patients and caregivers who receive basic dental health education . These professionals also can be trained to recognize conditions needing diagnosis and possible treatment by a dentist .
Goal : Reduce the proportion of adults with untreated dental decay 15 % by 2020 , exceeding the 10 % Healthy People ( HP ) 2020 goal by 50 %
Goal : Reduce the number of children under 18 with untreated dental decay 15 % by 2020 , exceeding the 10 % HP 2020 goal by 50 %
Goal : Increase the proportion of low income children who received any preventive dental services during the past year by 15 % by 2020 , exceeding the 10 % HP 2020 goal by 50 %
Emergency Room Referral
Many people without dental coverage don ’ t seek treatment until their dental pain becomes so severe that it requires a hospital emergency room ( ER ) visit . But most hospitals can ’ t provide comprehensive care , so the problem often isn ’ t solved . Dentists around the country are working with hospitals to get these patients out of the ER and into the dental chair , the right place for the right treatment .
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Community Dental Health Coordinators
Community Dental Health Coordinators ( CDHCs ) address barriers to oral health by providing patient navigation for people who typically do not receive care for a variety of reasons — among them poverty , geography , language , culture , and a lack of understanding of oral hygiene and the importance of regular dental visits . CDHCs typically work in inner cities , remote rural areas and Native American lands . CDHCs are currently working in numerous states , including Pennsylvania , Wisconsin , Minnesota , Oklahoma , Texas , New Mexico , Arizona , California and Montana . Educational programs to become CDHCs are available in all 50 states and more than 100 students are currently in training .
Goal : Increase the number of states with active Community Dental Health Coordinators
Fluoridation
Studies prove water fluoridation continues to be effective in reducing dental decay by at least 25 percent in children and adults , even in an era during which there is widespread availability of fluoride from other sources , such as fluoride toothpaste .
Goal : Provide fluoridated water to 80 % of Americans on public water systems by 2020
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Goal : Reduce ER dependency for patients with dental caries ( cavities ) and the pain associated with dental emergencies 50 % by 2020 |
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Goal : Reduce the total proportion of ER visits for dental-related issues by 35 % by 2020 |