Many North Carolinians lack access to affordable oral health care. The COVID-19 pandemic has further heightened and exposed the systemic barriers that exist for vulnerable populations across our state. As restrictions on routine dental procedures are lifted post-COVID-19, the system will be faced with a backlog of patients requiring preventive and restorative treatment.
Given this reality, it is prudent that oral health stakeholders consider the following changes aimed at systems reform to increase access to oral health care for all North Carolinians. The below mentioned priorities will serve as a strong foundation for increasing access to oral health care, and our hope is that the guide helps agencies prioritize their own engagement in
oral health policy advocacy.
*Please note: the outlined recommendations are not necessarily current policy priorities of NCOHC.
