Institute of Medicine Reports Lack of Dental Care Services for Millions of Americans

ST. LOUIS, July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Getting some people to go to the dentist might be more difficult than pulling teeth, but for many living in the United States, having access to a dentist and the ability to visit him or her regularly is even more difficult. According to a recent report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), 33 million Americans live in areas of the country that don't offer adequate dental care services, and nearly 5 million children went without regular dental checkups in 2008 because of financial limitations. In 2009, the National Research Council and the IOM were asked to analyze health data in America for underserved populations, assess the current dental health care system, develop a way to improve the dental care services for underserved populations and provide a way to meet all the goals the two organizations established.

Missing regular dental visits can not only lead to dental issues such as bleeding gums and tartar buildup, but it can also be associated with larger health concerns. According to the report, a lack of regular oral checkups can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes and can even lead to unexpected visits to the emergency room that biannual dental visits could have prevented.  

Masterpiece Smiles, a dentistry practice that features St. Louis dentist Dr. Mike Frith, offers regular dental checkups in addition to cosmetic dentistry services. Dr. Frith is St. Louis' first cosmetic dentist accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, an honor granted to only 1 percent of cosmetic dentists in the country. He has also been named Top Dentist in St. Louis for the past three years. For those in the greater St. Louis area looking for dental care, including those in Wildwood, Ellisville and Chesterfield who need a dentist, Masterpiece Smiles offers general dentistry services, including oral cancer screenings, restorative procedures and bridges; cosmetic dentistry procedures such as teeth whitening, veneers and dental implants; and certain orthodontic procedures such as Invisalign. For more information about scheduling a dental checkup or the services Masterpiece Smiles provides, contact them today.

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Contact: Amy Moczynski, +1-877-352-6334, [email protected]

SOURCE Masterpiece Smiles