FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Perry
Caroline@elevatepublicaffairs.com
Community Leaders Continue to Join Efforts to Protect and Expand Access to Oral Health
Groundswell of support continues in California for increased access to affordable dental care through innovative healthcare platforms
SACRAMENTO, CA – The Coalition for Affordable Dental Access (CADA) today announced that the Asian Resources Inc. and League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) have joined the coalition. CADA is an organization focused on increasing access to affordable dental care for all Californians through innovative healthcare platforms – ensuring more Californians have access to affordable, high-quality oral care. Here’s what the organizations have to say about joining the CADA:
“For many, telehealth has helped to break down some of the racial and economic barriers that have kept health care services – especially for oral health – inaccessible to communities of color. Because oral health has a tremendous impact on job opportunities, confidence, and quality of life, we ask policymakers to continue supporting the advancement in health care technology to help all of us receive dental care.”
- Yvonne Gonzalez Duncan, State Director, LULAC
“Now more than ever, the Asian Resources Inc. supports platforms that give Californians greater access to affordable dental care. This not only encourages good dental hygiene but improves health outcomes and improves quality of life.”
- Stephanie Nguyen, Executive Director, Asian Resources Inc.
California needs to continue to expand access to oral care:
- “Over 50 percent of dentists with California licenses reside in 5 of the 58 California counties… less than 40 percent provide dental services in the other 53 counties in California.” Source
- There are 53 federally identified Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas in California. Source
- 1 in 5 low-income adults say their mouth and teeth are in poor condition. Source
- 62% of California adults who didn’t visit the dentist in the past 12 months didn’t because of cost and 30% because of access barriers. Source
LULAC and The Asian Resources Inc. join existing CADA members supporting access to oral health: American TeleDentistry Association, NAACP California, Latin Business Association, Brotherhood Crusade, National Asian American Coalition, California African American Chamber of Commerce, Greater Sacramento Urban League, National Diversity Coalition, Urban Outreach Foundation Inc., Urban Ministries Inc., Black Small Business Association, TechNet, and Compton Latino Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, go to www.dentalcoalition.org.