According to an AACD survey, almost all adults (99.7%) surveyed believe a healthy smile is socially important. Luckily, many Rochester citizens will soon get the privilege of showing their smiles to the world because the American Dental Association is making access a top priority.
Last year, the New York State Dental Association and New York State Dental Foundation were able to offer free dental care thanks to a grant. The facilities, located in Ovid and Brockport, were run by volunteer dentists and provided screenings, tooth extractions, and other services to patients who had previously been unable to access such services.
As a bonus, many patients who participated in the free dental services opted to enroll in ongoing treatment in a variety of centers that get reimbursed through federal funding. This eliminates their need to go to the emergency room for future dental care.
“We know there’s a direct connection between the condition of the oral cavity and the rest of the body. A dental problem is a gateway problem for many other medical, sometimes life-threatening issues,” says Dr. Robert Buhite II, a partner at Buhite and Buhite, DDS in Irondequoit.
Teledentistry is also playing a major role in ongoing efforts to improve oral health. It’s a relatively new field that enables dentists to conduct screenings using a special computer and camera. This helps offset costs of visiting a dentist to have such exams performed. The procedure also includes a live video conference with the parents to discuss the child’s oral health history and treatment options. This allows parents to make an informed decision about their child’s dental needs.
“We want people to come in and not be anxious about the cost or anything else,” says Dr. Buhite II. Aside from helping them understand ways to prevent oral health problems, the dentist said, “we want to look at them and talk to them and reassure them that somebody cares about what they need.”
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