Palmetto Health - Palmetto Health Dental Health Initiatives

When the number of dental incidents seen in the stateâ€™s emergency departments (EDs) increased nearly 20 percent, Palmetto Health created a program to redirect patients to dental homes. Uninsured patients were integrated into private dentist offices and were accepted using the Medicaid rate. Palmetto Health funds this initiative along with other dental services for underserved and uninsured people including children, pregnant women and HIV/AIDS patients.

What is it?

When the number of dental incidents seen in the state’s emergency departments (EDs) increased nearly 20 percent, Palmetto Health created a program to redirect patients to dental homes. Uninsured patients were integrated into private dentist offices and were accepted using the Medicaid rate. Palmetto Health funds this initiative along with other dental services for underserved and uninsured people including children, pregnant women and HIV/AIDS patients.

Who is it for?

The state’s most vulnerable populations.

Why do they do it?

Poor dental health can lead to serious medical conditions. The ED reported that most dental visit patients were only being treated for pain. Of the 5,734 South Carolina kindergarteners and third-graders screened in 2008, 47 percent had experienced tooth decay, and of those, 22 percent were untreated.

Impact

More than 20,000 patients have benefited from these dental initiatives in the past 15 years. The ED has reported an 11 percent decrease in dental cases.

Contact: Vince Ford
Chief Community Health Services Officer
Telephone: 803-296-2158
E-mail: Vince.Ford@PalmettoHealth.org

Community Connections