Providing Dental Care Through Community Programs

Most Ohioans receive dental care at private dental offices, but some are not able to do so, often because of a lack of dental insurance or transportation. These individuals often must rely on community dental programs for care. Community dental programs are either safety net clinics or referral programs.

The Bureau of Oral Health Services (BOHS) serves as a resource to community dental care programs by:

• awarding grants to expand the capacity of safety net clinics;
• helping communities attract dentists to work in safety net clinics through health professional shortage area (HPSA) designation and administering loan repayment programs;
• and making information available to assist in clinic operations.

A one-page synopsis on these activities is available.

Safety Net Dental Clinics

Safety net dental clinics are public or private nonprofit facilities that provide a significant level of oral health care to people who are uninsured, underinsured or enrolled in Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Currently, there are over 100 safety net dental clinics in Ohio.

The Ohio Dental Safety Net Information Center (ODSNIC) Web site is a new one-stop-shop for information of interest to those who operate safety net clinics and those who want to learn about them. The ODSNIC links directly to a large array of tools such as The Safety Net Dental Clinic Manual which provides extensive information on the process of starting a dental clinic or improving the operations of one currently open. The Web site will continue to grow and develop, and include distance learning opportunities. Click on ODSNIC to learn more.

Dental HPSAs

The federal government has developed criteria for designating underserved areas known as dental HPSAs. These areas have less than the generally accepted ratio of dentists per population (<1:5,000). Click on Dental HPSAs to learn more about the HPSA application process and to view a list and map of existing dental HPSAs in Ohio.

Loan Repayment Programs

General and pediatric dentists and dental hygienists working in underserved areas are eligible to apply for repayment of school loans related to their professional training. Click on Loan Repayment Programs to learn more about the state and federal programs available to Ohio dental professionals.

Job Opportunities/Recruitment

The Ohio PrimaryCare Practice Sites (OPPS) is an online placement resource helping general dentists and dental hygienists find practice opportunities in underserved areas of Ohio. The Student/Resident Experiences and Rotations in Community Health (SEARCH) program provides health professions students and residents with opportunities to work through the National Health Service Corp's network of primary care offices and associations in underserved rural and urban areas. Click on Job Opportunities/Recruitment to learn more.

Mailing address:

Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Oral Health Services
246 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Telephone: (614) 466-4180
Fax: (614) 564-2421

E-mail: BOHS@odh.ohio.gov

Last Updated: 11/10/08

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