GALLIPOLIS, Ohio (WCHS) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is seeking to expand dental care services for low-income families, particularly for children in rural areas. In his recent State of the State address, DeWine unveiled the Children’s Dental Services Pilot Program, which aims to address dental care shortages in nine counties identified as having high need for dental services.
Experts estimate that the pilot program could provide dental care to approximately 12,000 children in these high-need areas. One of the counties benefiting from the initiative is Gallia County, where Dr. David Smith, a local dentist with over 40 years of experience, practices. Initially, Smith was one of eight dentists in the county, but now he is one of just three.
“The need is great, and it is growing every year,” Dr. Smith said. “The existing providers are aging, and it is a challenge to attract new dental professionals to rural areas.”
Access to dental care for low-income families, particularly those on Medicaid, remains a significant challenge. In 2023, DeWine noted that 64% of school-aged children on Medicaid did not receive a single dental visit during the year, and nearly one in five children had at least one untreated cavity.
“Poor dental health care can make it difficult for a child to eat, sleep, and even speak, let alone learn,” DeWine explained. “It is clear that many Ohio children are suffering from serious dental issues that persist into adulthood.”
The Children’s Dental Services Pilot Program is designed to improve the oral health of school-aged children in Ohio’s underserved areas. It aims to tackle these issues by providing more accessible dental care in high-need regions.
“In rural areas like ours, the health care system has not been successful, and dental health care has faced similar challenges,” Dr. Smith added.
The pilot program is projected to last two years and cost $10 million. Dr. Smith believes the initiative will be cost-effective, noting, “When you compare the economics of providing dental services in a clinic versus an emergency room, it’s clear that dental care in a clinic setting is much more effective.”
