More than 300,000 people in Massachusetts lack access to proper dental care, and health advocates said increasing the number of licensed dental therapists in underserved communities could help. Dental therapists are similar to nurse practitioners and can perform the most commonly needed treatments such as preventive cleanings or fillings, helping uninsured patients avoid costly trips to the emergency room. Dr. .
A new report showed children aged 14 and younger are seeking dental care through emergency departments at alarming rates for preventable conditions such as abscesses and chronic gingivitis. The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health report showed high costs and limited dental coverage contribute to the problem of high rates of pediatric emergency department use for dental care in Florida. Cultural and linguistic issues are also part of the problem, and the report found the use rate is higher among Black and Hispanic children. .