Oral health is a complex issue that affects every Kentuckian, impacting both a healthy smile and overall health and KOHC is dedicated to improving the oral health systems and outcomes for all Kentuckians. To better understand the current trends in oral health care and habits across the state, KOHC conducted a landscape assessment throughout 2023, compiling existing data on oral health outcomes and collecting new information from community members, oral health providers, and community service providers throughout the Commonwealth.
KOHC Participating Counties by KOHC
The landscape assessment included surveys and focus groups, which allowed us to hear from over 650 individuals in 111 counties across the state.
Data collected through focus groups and surveys highlighted how common oral health conditions are with more than 90% reporting they have had a cavity in their lifetime.
Most respondents said their oral health care is not very affordable, with only 36% rating their dentist a 9 or 10 on an affordability scale for routine care. Additionally, responses showed the biggest barriers to receiving regular oral health care from the perspective of dental providers, consumers, and community service providers. 
In addition to the findings from data collected by KOHC, the report outlines the current data trends as they relate to oral health in Kentucky. Kentucky has high rates of smoking and substance use, both of which are linked to poor oral health outcomes and are among the states with the most edentulism and oral cancer.
In response to the disparities and challenges to accessing dental care experienced throughout the Commonwealth, this report also outlines recommendations to create a more equitable oral health network for all Kentuckians, including:
- Expand utilization of alternative options for care – there are many options beyond the traditional dental office to ensure everyone receives the care they need. This means finding ways to bring care to the places people are working, learning, or receiving other services. Examples include teledentistry, co-locating services, and expanding access to school-based providers.
- Expand community dental model to meet holistic needs of patients – a dressing health needs beyond dental treatment improves patient experience and overall outcomes. Examples include increasing use of Community Health Workers in dental settings, integrating dental care into primary care or mental health settings, and screening for chronic diseases in the dental office to make appropriate referrals.
- Ensure comprehensive dental benefits for patients – Kentuckians need access to comprehensive dental services, regardless of their income or health coverage. Maintaining comprehensive dental benefits is critical to improving oral health outcomes in Kentucky.
- Expand network of Medicaid providers – bringing new Medicaid providers into network and ensuring retention of current providers is critical to providing care across the Commonwealth. Increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates for dental services and finding ways to decrease the administrative burden for providers will contribute to a robust provider network.
- Expand access to oral health resources and care options for underserved communities – underserved populations in Kentucky experience additional barriers to finding dental care when they need it. Care provided and resources available must meet the needs of immigrant and refugee populations, non-English speakers, and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Read the full report to learn more about this report and our findings.
This report was made possible by CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this report through focus group and survey participation. A special thank you to the following groups:
-Family Health Centers
-Family Resource Youth Services Coalition of Kentucky
-Kentucky Association of Health Departments
-Kentucky Coalition for Healthy Children
-Kentucky Dental Association
-Kentucky Dental Hygienist Association
-Kentucky Primary Care Association
-Kentucky Public Health Association
-Kentucky Youth Advocates
-Southeast Kentucky Oral Health Coalition
