This story is part of a series on the challenges and solutions related to oral health in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. It is made possible with funding support from the Delta Dental Foundation.
At Ohio State University’s Nisonger Center, some patients with disabilities travel hundreds of miles to the Columbus campus for dental care. Dr. Stephen Beetstra, the center’s dental program director, says this speaks volumes about the scarcity of accessible dental services.
“Our patients come from all over, some as far away as Arkansas,” says Beetstra. “We get referrals from every county in Ohio and neighboring states like Kentucky and West Virginia. For many, we’re the only option because the training and equipment required to treat this population aren’t available elsewhere.”…