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.