North Carolina has taken significant strides in recent years–from Medicaid Expansion to legislation expanding public health hygienists’ ability to practice at the full scope of their licensure. However, far too many people across the state remain without access to quality care.
The 2024 Portrait of Oral Health outlines the state of access and equity in North Carolina, diving into data to paint a picture of who does and does not have access to the care they deserve. In 2024, North Carolinians’ ability to access oral health care largely depends on where they live and how much they earn. For all who lack traditional access to care, the oral health safety net is strong. However, it is not large enough to meet all of North Carolina’s needs. Dentists in private practice must significantly participate in the Medicaid Dental Program to increase the system’s capacity.
As North Carolina continues into the second half of the 2020s, the state must recommit its focus on systems-level change and retaining and strengthening a robust safety net
To do this, North Carolina needs structural changes to ensure progress is felt in every corner of the state. Opportunities for systems-level change include:
- Investing new funding in the North Carolina Medicaid Dental Program.
- Creating a Rural Areas Forgivable Loan Pilot Program that includes dental staff.
- Promoting legislation to allow all dental staff to practice at the full scope of their training and licensure.
