VIEWPOINT
Written by: Clarke M. Allen, DDS
Oral health is an essential part of overall health, yet for millions of seniors in underserved communities across the US, access to dental care remains out of reach. For people like Mr. Jones, a retired veteran living in rural Mississippi, the challenges of maintaining dental hygiene are compounded by transportation hurdles, limited income, and persistent fear of dental procedures. He once confided to me, “I know I shouldn’t have let my teeth get like this, but for a man like me, I’m stuck. I had dental benefits before, but now I’m old and my family has moved on. I can only get to places where I can walk, and the VA just ain’t in walking distance. I appreciate folks like you who work to help folks like me out. I would always be in pain if it weren’t for you.” Stories like his are far too common. With our aging population, it’s critical to ensure that individuals like Mr. Jones aren’t left behind.
By 2030, nearly 1 in 5 Americans will be 65 or older.1 While many older adults today retain their natural teeth longer than previous generations, nearly 13% of adults aged 65 or older suffer from untreated tooth decay, and 11.4% of adults aged 65 to 74 years—a figure that rises to 19.7% for those aged 75 or older—have lost all their teeth.2 Across underserved areas like my home state of Mississippi, the statistics are even more grim: 55% of seniors suffer from severe tooth loss, and 1 in 5 lives below the poverty line.
In communities like these, dental care is not a luxury; it’s a lifeline. It can help seniors eat, smile, and preserve their dignity. Yet, countless patients like Mr. Jones find themselves falling through the cracks due to financial constraints, transportation barriers, health literacy gaps, or a lingering mistrust of the healthcare system. These barriers have profound consequences not only for oral health but also systemic health, aggravating chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Bringing Care to Underserved Seniors: Identifying Needs and Building Partnerships
When I started practicing in rural Mississippi, I quickly realized that overcoming these barriers would require more than good intentions—it would take partnerships, innovative solutions, and a deep empathy for the seniors we serve. Collaborative initiatives, like the Senior Oral Health Partnership Program supported by the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, have shown me how powerful teamwork can be. By bringing together dentists, nonprofits, public health agencies, and even volunteers from local churches, we’ve been able to extend care to seniors who would otherwise never reach a dental clinic. For example, senior centers can host community dental events close to home, nonprofits can lead outreach and education, and mobile clinics can provide on-site care.
These programs don’t just offer care, they rebuild trust and confidence in the health care system, one senior at a time. When I speak to patients, I see how much they appreciate the effort. And the impact goes deeper than just dental health. It transforms lives, allowing seniors to re-engage with their communities, smile with pride, and enjoy meals with friends and family without discomfort.
The Unique Challenges of Rural Seniors
The barriers in underserved areas are multifaceted and disproportionately affect seniors in rural regions, where 40% of adults haven’t seen a dentist in over a year. The scarcity of providers and transportation options often makes their challenges feel insurmountable. Many seniors have also faced years of untreated oral health issues due to limited financial resources.
And it’s not just about access—chronic health conditions common in older adults exacerbate oral health problems. Medications for conditions like diabetes and heart disease often cause dry mouth, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Left untreated, these conditions can spiral into more serious systemic health issues.
Making Change Happen: Practical Approaches for Providers
As dentists, we are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in addressing this crisis. Based on my experience, here are strategies that make a real difference:
One important step is tailoring appointments for senior needs. Extending appointment times allows for mobility challenges, sensory impairments, and the need to thoroughly explain treatment options. Creating a comfortable environment by training staff to use clear, simple communication and practicing patience when addressing concerns is key. It can also be helpful to keep mobility aids, such as wheelchairs or walkers, available in the office to accommodate limited mobility.
Factoring in chronic health conditions is another critical element. Collaborating with medical providers ensures comprehensive care for senior patients managing conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. Establishing a streamlined process for coordinating with primary care physicians or specialists, as well as implementing health questionnaires to flag risks before dental procedures, strengthens patient safety and outcomes.
Transportation barriers must also be addressed. If transportation is a challenge in your community, consider launching or partnering with mobile dental clinics to bring care directly to patients. Hosting “dental health days” at local senior centers or assisted living facilities can also improve accessibility. These initiatives not only provide care but also help foster trust and comfort with dental visits.
Financial accessibility is equally important. Investigating alternative payment systems, such as Medicaid reimbursements or partnerships with grant-funded programs, can expand access. Training your team on the billing processes for these systems and emphasizing accurate documentation is critical for compliance and for demonstrating measurable outcomes to funders or stakeholders.
Finally, leveraging community engagement can have a lasting impact. Beyond clinical care, outreach builds long-term trust. Providing preventative education tailored to older adults’ oral health concerns, along with free or reduced-cost screenings at community events, helps address fears and accessibility issues. In doing so, you create meaningful relationships while improving oral health outcomes among seniors.
A Meaningful Opportunity for the Dental Community
As dentists, our work goes beyond teeth—we have a chance to build healthier, stronger communities. By prioritizing underserved seniors, leveraging partnerships, and focusing on patient-centered care, we can fight back against the rising tide of inequality in dental health. Together, we can ensure every senior can smile with confidence and live with dignity.
REFERENCES
- Castroverde J, Portes R. 1 in 5 Americans to be 65 years old or older by 2030. S&P Global. 2024. Available at: https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/articles/2024/11/1-in-5-americans-to-be-65-years-old-or-older-by-2030-86270288
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2024 Oral Health Surveillance Report: Selected Findings. 2024. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/oral-health/php/2024-oral-health-surveillance-report/selected-findings.html
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Allen is a dedicated and compassionate dentist with extensive experience in community health dentistry. A native of Mendenhall, Miss, she attended Xavier University of Louisiana, graduating in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. During her years at Xavier, she was selected to be a part of the Mississippi Rural Dental Scholars Program, solidifying her desire to serve underserved communities. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2022 at Howard University College of Dentistry. Dr. Allen enhanced her skills through a comprehensive General Practice Residency at Carilion Medical Center. Dr. Allen began her tenure as a general dentist at Delta Health Center, the second oldest community health center in the country in 2023, quickly establishing herself as a leader in patient care and advocacy. Her dedication led to her promotion to dental director in 2025.
As a practitioner and director, Dr. Allen’s core mission is twofold: health education and high-quality care for all. She plans to do this by actively educating the community on the critical connection between oral health and overall systemic well-being and providing exceptional dental services to every patient, regardless of their economic status or medical challenges. She can be reached at [email protected].
Disclosure: Dr. Allen reports no disclosures.
FEATURED IMAGE CREDIT: AYO Production/Shutterstock.com.
