A research brief providing new data on the dental divide between households above and below the ALICE Threshold — and the factors that contribute to these gaps.
In Arkansas and nationwide, there is a health-wealth divide in dental health outcomes and access to care. Higher income is associated with better access to routine and restorative dental care, as well as products that straighten and whiten teeth, improving social and job opportunities. Yet when people are financially insecure, they often have to forgo or postpone preventive routine care. This can lead to tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, cardiovascular disease, social anxiety, embarrassment, and overall poorer quality of life.
Not only do households earning lower incomes have greater unmet dental needs, but even when they can access dental care, their financial burden is disproportionately higher. Understanding the true extent of financial hardship in Arkansas is key to addressing the dental divide. And unfortunately, financial insecurity has been undercounted by official measures for decades.
Understanding the true extent of financial hardship in Arkansas is key to addressing the dental divide. And unfortunately, financial insecurity has been undercounted by official measures for decades.
