Health Resource Capacity Assessment for Putnam, Connecticut, May 2001

Health Needs/Barriers to Care: Dental Care

Poor dental health was noted as a serious health problem by many Putnam providers and residents, particularly for low-income residents. Problems are both a severe shortage of providers and a lack of information about the importance of dental health. One focus group parent stated that she has heard other parents say, "It's just their baby teeth. They're going to lose them anyway." It was reported that only one dentist in Windham County accepted HUSKY coverage at the time of the study. ⁷¹ Sixty two percent of HUSKY children in Windham County did not receive any preventive dental visits between July 1998 and June 1999. ⁷² Dental disorders are the 16th most common reason for emergency department visits at Day Kimball Hospital compared to 43rd statewide. ⁷³

To address the issue, a group of health care institutions in the region have collaborated on a project to purchase and operate a dental van in the area (see Prior Planning Initiatives section). Months before the project has been implemented and no specific public outreach has been conducted, Generations Health Family Health Center has received calls requesting visits by the van, resumes from hygienists applying to staff the van, and calls from dentists willing to volunteer their services. ⁷⁴

Footnotes

71. Focus groups, interviews
72. Utilization of Dental Services by Children Enrolled in Medicaid Managed Care, CT Children's Health Project, 4/26/00.
73. Day Kimball Hospital, the Bristol Group, 10/1/98 to 9/30/99.
74. Interviews