More than half (53.8%) of adults in the US do not have consistent access to dental care and may resort to home remedies, which are not always safe. In fact, according to a visual report from CareQuest Institute, half of adults who experienced an oral health problem in the last 12 months used a home remedy for the problem.
May 11, 2023
May 11, 2023 (Boston, MA) — CareQuest Institute for Oral Health®, a leading national nonprofit focused on creating a more accessible, equitable, and integrated oral health system, has awarded more than $2.7 million in grant funds so far this year to help advance equity through oral health.
May 9, 2023
It is an alarming trend that both maternal mortality and preterm birth rates have increased in the United States during the last three years. Even more alarming: Those rates are especially high for people of color.
A visual report from CareQuest Institute examines the worsening state of maternal and infant health in the US, and the often overlooked connection between oral health and pregnancy outcomes.
Despite progress, disparities in access to dental care and oral health outcomes persist — particularly among underserved populations. One significant challenge: lack of comprehensive and accurate data, which makes it difficult for oral health providers to deliver culturally specific and linguistically accessible care.
April 10, 2023
From roundtable discussions about applying silver diamine fluoride (SDF), to seminars highlighting the importance of expanding state Medicaid adult dental benefits, to connecting with attendees about the latest oral health research, CareQuest Institute will have a prominent presence at the National Oral Health Conference (NOHC). The 2023 conference is scheduled from Monday, April 17 to Wednesday, April 19 at the Double Tree by Hilton Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
April 10, 2023
Rural populations face many barriers when it comes to accessing oral health care, including cost, transportation, distance, and availability of providers. Right now, 70 million people who live in the US, or one in five people, live in “dental deserts” — areas where no or very few dentists practice.
Marcia Brand, former strategic advisor for CareQuest Institute, knows the struggles that these populations face well, through her own personal and professional experience.
During pregnancy, oral health care is essential, yet often underutilized.
According to a report from CareQuest Institute, approximately 60–75% of pregnant people experience oral health issues that raise the likelihood of poor birth outcomes and major complications. These percentages are even higher for expecting Black women, who are 27% more likely to experience severe pregnancy complications than white women.
During pregnancy, oral health care is essential, yet often underutilized — especially for people enrolled in Medicaid. This dashboard provides information related to Medicaid expansion and eligibility during pregnancy and postpartum, preterm birth rates, and infant mortality rates by state.
Policymakers, administrators, and advocates can use this tool to examine Medicaid expansion and eligibility in their state and ensure they are providing coverage that supports the oral health and overall health of pregnant people and their babies.
March 27, 2023
Indigenous communities face several barriers to accessing oral health care. For American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) families who live on tribal lands, often in rural areas, a shortage of dental providers is a common hurdle.