CEO Update: Halloween
“Skully” or “Harry the Horrible” (as my neighbor calls our 12 foot skeleton Halloween decoration) is ready for his big night!
It’s fall or winter as we call it in Colorado and kiddos face another cold night of trick-or-treating, which I’m sure the cold will not deter them from CANDY!!! Let’s admit it, candy is amazing right? As adults we know the importance of brushing and flossing, especially after eating candy. But where do you go when you don’t have a dentist in the area for regular check-ups or emergencies? Often in rural, our people go without or drive several hours for access to this important care. The latest data shows:
Covered by dental insurance in the last 12 months:
- Rural: 67.4%
- State: 76.8%
Visited a dentist or dental hygienist in the last 12 months
- Rural: 64.3%
- State: 67.1%
Did not get dental care in past 12 months because the dental office or clinic was not accepting new patients
- Rural: 4.5%
- State: 4.3%
Did not get dental care in past 12 months because there is not a dental clinic in community
- Rural: 7.4%
- State: 5.0%
Did not get dental care in past 12 months because you did not have a way to get to clinic
- Rural: 4.1%
- State: 4.2%
Did not get dental care in past 12 months because it was challenging to find a dentist you could relate to
- Rural: 7.4%
- State: 6.4%
Did not get dental care in past 12 months because you were afraid of pain from dental procedures
- Rural: 9.1%
- State: 9.0%
Did not get dental care in past 12 months because you didn’t understand your dental benefits
- Rural: 7.1%
- State: 7.5%
Was unable to participate in regular daily activities because of dental pain
- Rural: 6.5%
- State: 7.2%
Oral health status: excellent/very good/good
- Rural: 79.8%
- State: 82.9%
Oral health status: fair/poor
- Rural: 20.2%
- State: 17.1%
Cite: Colorado Health Institute. Colorado Health Access Survey, 2021
In almost all measures above, rural fairs worse than the state, how can we change this narrative? At CRHC we’d love to hear your thoughts.
