Dental Care In Prisons

There are a variety of different barriers preventing certain populations from attaining access to dental care. One underserved group many individuals overlook when thinking about dental care is prison inmates. Just because they are behind bars does not mean they should be denied adequate dental care. Although there are many dental programs working with prisons to ensure they receive care, there is a higher demand for dental employees in prisons now than there ever was before. According to a report from a prison in Georgia, their “ratio of approximately 1 dentist to 1,600 inmates is well over the suggested 1:1,200 standard of care” (Mack, 2013). Inmates who need care can not access it when these ratios display a minimal supply of willing dentists. Habitual drug users are a large …show more content…
Patients diagnosed with periodontal disease have increased probing depths, bone loss, and even tooth mobility. Monitoring their condition helps cease the progression of bone loss and gingival recession, and periodically removing calculus decreases microorganisms and irritability of the tissues along with attempting regeneration of the periodontal attachment. Most inmates are behind bars for several years or even life. Based on sufficient standards of care, I believe they should be offered dental care. I understand they might not be able to afford it without a current job, but I recently heard about universities using prisons as clinical settings for dental hygiene students to give care at little or no cost. Not nearly enough universities and volunteer organizations travel to local prisons to give these deserving people care. A high demand for prison dental employees is reflected on few hygienists’ willing to help when they are afraid and the inability to pay employees while keeping costs low. According to a report on inmate care, prisons address all safety concerns by ensuring hygienists they “are surrounded with prison guards and given panic buttons” so they are safe