Need dentistry school

Thanks to Sean Clancy for his column on Sunday. Arkansans should celebrate the decision made by Dr. Giles Willis Jr. to purchase the dental office in Stamps where he received care as a child. His dental practice will benefit many Arkansans.

Dr. Willis pointed out a critical need for our state: The people he’ll see “are walking around with bad teeth or an abscess. That should tell you that there is a need. It speaks volumes to the lack of access to dental care in rural areas.”

My question: why is Arkansas one of only 14 states without a school of dentistry? Lack of dental care is linked with lifelong negative health outcomes such as poor cardiovascular health, certain types of cancer, pneumonia, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and more. Poor oral health is also linked to reduced school attendance by children. We are a rural state with persistently high rates of negative health outcomes.

Dental inequality hurts low-income and rural Arkansans, but has a negative financial impact on us all. It is time for Arkansas to stop sending dental students to neighboring states. Arkansas needs a school of dentistry now.

BETSEY CROW MOWERY

Cammack Village