Project Grant T2255321

DENTAL REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM - AS ONE OF THE LARGEST GENERAL DENTISTRY CLINICS IN THE HARTFORD AREA, WE RECEIVE NUMEROUS REFERRALS FROM EXTERNAL DENTISTS AND HEALTHCARE FACILITIES. MANY OF THE PATIENTS WHO SEEK CARE AT OUR CLINIC DO SO ONLY WHEN THEY ARE EXPERIENCING PAIN OR FACING DIFFICULT TREATMENT DECISIONS. OFTEN, THEY OPT FOR EXTRACTIONS AS A QUICK AND IMMEDIATE SOLUTION, RATHER THAN UNDERGOING THE MULTIPLE VISITS REQUIRED FOR RESTORATIVE TREATMENT TO SAVE THEIR TEETH. FOR CASES INVOLVING MULTIPLE EXTRACTIONS, STAGED TREATMENT IS COMMON, REQUIRING PATIENTS TO RETURN FOR MULTIPLE APPOINTMENTS. WHILE THIS APPROACH CAN IMPROVE PATIENT COMFORT AND HEALING-SUCH AS EXTRACTING TEETH IN SEPARATE VISITS TO PRESERVE FUNCTIONALITY ON ONE SIDE OF THE MOUTH, IT ALSO INCREASES THE OVERALL COST OF CARE. ONE SIGNIFICANT FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THESE COSTS IS ANESTHESIA. IF A PATIENT REQUIRES SEDATION FOR EACH APPOINTMENT, THE TOTAL COST PER VISIT CAN AMOUNT TO SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS DUE TO THE HIGH EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING ANESTHESIA. OUR PRIMARY COMMITMENT IS TO DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY DENTAL CARE TO ALL PATIENTS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR FINANCIAL STATUS. AS A TEACHING INSTITUTION, WE PRIORITIZE PATIENT NEEDS ABOVE THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. HOWEVER, THIS APPROACH OFTEN RESULTS IN PROVIDING CARE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO CANNOT MEET THEIR FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS, LEADING TO SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF UNCOLLECTED REVENUE WHEN PATIENTS DO NOT QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. WHILE WE EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTIVE CARE-EDUCATING PATIENTS ON ORAL HEALTH, THE NECESSITY OF ROUTINE CLEANINGS, AND THE BENEFITS OF DIAGNOSTIC RADIOGRAPHS-URGENT AND ACUTE CARE REMAINS THE PRIMARY REASON FOR MOST VISITS. MANY PATIENTS DELAY PREVENTIVE CARE DUE TO FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS, AS THEY PERCEIVE IT AS A LOWER PRIORITY COMPARED TO IMMEDIATE DENTAL EMERGENCIES. THE FINANCIAL BURDEN IS EVEN GREATER FOR THOSE WHO LACK INSURANCE OR DO NOT QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE, FURTHER LIMITING THEIR ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL PREVENTIVE SERVICES. TO ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES, WE ARE REQUESTING RYAN WHITE FUNDING TO HELP COVER THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY DENTAL CARE TO THIS VULNERABLE PATIENT POPULATION. THIS FUNDING WILL ENABLE US TO CONTINUE OFFERING NECESSARY DENTAL TREATMENTS, IMPROVE ACCESS TO PREVENTIVE CARE, AND ENSURE THAT FINANCIAL LIMITATIONS DO NOT HINDER PATIENTS FROM RECEIVING THE CARE THEY NEED.