The cost of dental care is skyrocketing in the U.S., while the availability of care remains stagnant. A 2018 report shows that the ratio of people to dentists in Texas is 1,790:1, compared to a national ratio of 1,480:1. Thirty-five Texas counties do not have a single dentist, and there are 322 designated dental health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) across the state. Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) projects that Texas’ dentist shortage will increase by 38% between 2012 and 2025.
2019-20 LEGISLATOR’S GUIDE TO THE ISSUES
A comprehensive guide to the most important issues facing Texas during the 86th Session of the Legislature. Among the issues covered in this Guide are education, taxes and spending, health care, effective justice, private property rights, insurance, telecommunications, transportation, tort reform, energy, and natural resources.