A new article in Florida Politics outlines updated data which shows the dental access crisis in Florida is growing and pain and suffering will only intensify if policymakers don’t act.
As highlighted in the article: “In 2024, more than 146,000 Floridians sought help at emergency departments for dental pain and infection, a 25% increase since 2021.” More than 4,000 required hospitalization because the dental infection was life threatening. Hospital charges tied to dental issues rose 77% over the same period, pushing the overall tab close to $1 billion. The true cost is likely far higher, since untreated dental problems can spiral into chronic conditions such as diabetes.
Florida’s rural counties are some of the most affected, with two-thirds having ten or fewer dentists, and Glades County having none.