According to research conducted by Oral Health America in 2002, Arizona ranked low at 44 out of 50 states for the ratio of dental providers to people. Arizona has one dentist for every 2,520 residents, while the group reported a sufficient ratio is one dentist to 2,000 people. In addition, there also is an uneven distribution of providers in urban areas compared with a less than sufficient number of oral healthcare providers in rural areas of the state.
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizonans have a higher rate of oral disease than the national average. Both Arizona children and seniors are part of the growing underserved indicated by alarming statistics, including:
31percent of Arizona children have never had a dental check-up.
43 percent of Arizona children ages 6 to 8 have untreated tooth decay, compared to the national average of 31percent .
65 percent of Arizona children between the ages of 11 to 13 have had tooth decay.
42 percent of Arizona seniors have bleeding gums and/or calculus present requiring professional care.
U.S. employment projections through 2014:
For every three dentists that retire, only two dentists enter the profession
Demand for dental care will be strong as generations age while retaining their teeth longer, which increases demand for complex dental work and preventive care Median Salary (2003):
$177,340 General Dentist
$300,200 Specialist
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizonans have a higher rate of oral disease than the national average. Both Arizona children and seniors are part of the growing underserved indicated by alarming statistics, including:
31percent of Arizona children have never had a dental check-up.
43 percent of Arizona children ages 6 to 8 have untreated tooth decay, compared to the national average of 31percent .
65 percent of Arizona children between the ages of 11 to 13 have had tooth decay.
42 percent of Arizona seniors have bleeding gums and/or calculus present requiring professional care.
U.S. employment projections through 2014:
For every three dentists that retire, only two dentists enter the profession
Demand for dental care will be strong as generations age while retaining their teeth longer, which increases demand for complex dental work and preventive care Median Salary (2003):
$177,340 General Dentist
$300,200 Specialist
