Background
Good oral health is an important part of good total
health. Recent research has found strong associations
between oral health status and diabetes, heart disease
and low-birth weight. While significant improvements
in oral health have been realized in the last 40 years,
these gains have not been for everyone.
There are important segments of society, including low-income
children and adults and institutionalized seniors for whom
there are significant barriers to accessing oral health
care services. Workforce projections indicate that access
to dental care may become an issue for many others such
as those living in rural areas.
This policy brief draws information primarily from studies
conducted at the University of Iowa Public Policy Center
regarding access to primary care services, including
statewide studies of children's health and well-being,
evaluations of the Iowa Medicaid managed care program,
and the Iowa State Child Health Insurance program ( hawk-i ).
Information from national studies and reports such as
the 2000 US Surgeon's Report: Oral Health in America are
also included.
The policy recommendations are drawn from research findings
and statewide committees regarding oral health in which
PPC researchers have participated over the past 10 years. 
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