Addressing Nevada’s Oral Health Crisis & Disparities in Nevada: A Call to Action

By Whitney Bryant, DDS, Executive Director and Dentist of Sagebrush Smiles

Oral health is a cornerstone of overall well-being, yet for many Children in Nevada, access to basic dental care remains a significant challenge. At Sagebrush Smiles, we are committed to bridging the gap in oral health disparities that disproportionately affect underserved populations in our state.

The Scope of the Problem

Nevada ranks among the lowest in the nation for access to dental care, with rural and underserved communities bearing the brunt of this inequity. Nevada Third Grade Oral Health Survey 2022-2024, nearly 33% of children in our state have untreated tooth decay, higher than National Average 20%—a statistic that highlights the urgent need for accessible pediatric dental care. Furthermore, over 40% of Nevadans live in areas designated as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), where the ratio of dentists to residents falls far below the national average.

The consequences of these disparities are far-reaching. Untreated dental conditions can lead to severe pain, difficulty eating or speaking, and even life-threatening infections. Additionally, poor oral health is linked to chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, compounding the challenges faced by vulnerable populations.

Nevada’s oral health crisis

Barriers to Access

Several factors contribute to the oral health crisis in Nevada:

• Geographic Challenges: Many rural communities lack local dental providers, forcing residents to travel long distances for care.

• Economic Hardship: High costs of dental procedures deter low-income families from seeking preventive and restorative treatments.

• Insurance Gaps: Limited coverage for dental services under Medicaid and a lack of affordable dental insurance plans leave many without options for care.

• Awareness and Education: A lack of understanding about the importance of oral health leads to delayed or neglected dental visits.

Our Response: The Sagebrush Smiles Initiative

At Sagebrush Smiles, we recognize the urgent need for innovative solutions to address these disparities. Our programs are designed to improve access to dental care, provide education on oral health, and advocate for systemic changes to ensure equitable care for all Nevadans.

• Community Outreach: Through mobile dental clinics and partnerships with local schools, we bring essential dental services directly to underserved communities.

• Education Programs: We empower families with knowledge about the importance of preventive care, proper oral hygiene, and nutrition.

• Advocacy: We collaborate with policymakers to expand Medicaid coverage and increase funding for dental health initiatives in rural Nevada.

• Educational and Professional Development Program: Recruiting, educating, and developing dental professionals, to addressing workforce shortages and promoting diversity within the field.

• "Dental Home Away from Home" Program: This initiative creates a centralized electronic dental health record system to ensure continuity of care for foster youth and other underserved populations. By providing seamless access to dental records, we aim to reduce disparities and improve outcomes for those most in need.

The Path Forward

Creating equitable access to oral healthcare in Nevada requires a collaborative effort among healthcare providers, educators, policymakers, and community leaders. At Sagebrush Smiles, we believe that addressing these disparities is not only a public health necessity but also a moral imperative.

Our vision is to foster a future where every Child in Northern Nevada has access to high-quality dental care, regardless of socioeconomic or geographic barriers. Through evidence-based interventions and sustained advocacy, we are working to dismantle the systemic inequities that contribute to oral health disparities.

Join Us

We invite you to support our mission by volunteering, donating, or advocating for improved oral health policies in Nevada. Visit our website at www.sagebrushsmiles.org to learn more about our programs and how you can make a difference.

Let’s work together to create a future where oral health disparities are a thing of the past. Because every smile deserves a chance.