
Louisiana’s Struggle: 5th Worst State for Dental Health
There are 2,188 dentists practicing Louisiana, yet a new study seems to imply these dentists don't get much business.
Louisiana Among States With Worst Dental Health
A new study going over dental health data and information about local dental care facilities, has now determined which states have the best overall and worst overall dental health based on 25 different measured statistics.
Of all 50 states, plus Washington D.C., Louisiana was the state with the 5th worst dental health overall. Louisiana had the 3rd least amount of kids and teens who saw a dentist within the last year, the 5th most adult smokers, and 2nd highest amount of adults unhappy with their dental and oral health.
Key to solving Louisiana's dental health issue would be ensuring regular dental checkups and cleanings as recommended by a dentist, according to experts at least once a year is good.
Is It Covered?
Many fail to see a dentist when needed due to high costs of care and a common lack of dental insurance. Many have argued up and down that it should be legally mandated that standard healthcare should include dental care.
Robert J. Weyant, professor and chair of the Department of Dental Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh argues in favor of dental coverage saying "...Dental coverage should be added to Medicare. As the saying goes ensuring universal health coverage is complicated. Only 32 of the 33 most economically developed nations have figured out how to do it."
Though Y. Tony Yang, Professor and Associate Dean of the School of Nursing at The George Washington University, agrees that including dental care in standard healthcare plans would be beneficial in ways, he acknowledges the possible flaws "such as the increased costs for insurance providers and taxpayers that may result from integrating dental coverage into standard health insurance or Medicaid."
Shreveport's Krewe of Centaur Grand Bal 32
The Top 10 Best Concerts Ever in Shreveport-Bossier City, LA
Gallery Credit: Getty Images