The nation’s oral health is the best it has ever been, yet oral diseases remain common in the United States. The burden of oral diseases is spread unevenly throughout the population, and many more poor people and some racial/ethnic minority groups have untreated oral disease than does the population as a whole.

Mouth and throat diseases, which range from cavities to cancer, cause pain and disability for millions of Americans. This fact is disturbing because almost all oral diseases can be prevented.
For children, cavities are a common problem that begins at an early age. Tooth decay affects more than one-fourth of U.S. children aged 2–5 and half of those aged 12–15. Low-income children are hardest hit: about half of those aged 6–19 years have untreated decay. Untreated cavities may cause pain, dysfunction, absence from school, underweight, and poor appearance—problems that can greatly reduce a child’s capacity to succeed in life.

Tooth decay is also a problem for U.S. adults, especially for the increasing number of older adults who have retained most of their teeth. Despite this increase in tooth retention, tooth loss remains a problem among older adults. One fourth of adults over age 60 years have lost all of their teeth—primarily because of tooth decay, which affects more than 90% of adults over age 40 years, and advanced gum disease, which affects 5%–15% of adults. Tooth loss can affect self-esteem, and it may contribute to nutrition problems by limiting the types of food that a person can eat.

In addition, oral cancers pose a threat to the health of U.S. adults. Each year, about 28,000 people learn that they have mouth and throat cancers, and nearly 7,200 die of these diseases.

Since many residents of Baltimore City do not have dental insurance, oral health is a significant concern.  According to a 2000-2001 study of school children in Maryland, 42% of all children had untreated tooth decay.  Furthermore, 62% of lower income children (those eligible for free or reduced lunch) had untreated decay, compared to 41% of those children uneligible for free or reduced lunch.

Fortunately, there are several Dental Clinics in Baltimore that provide discounted dental services for city residents.

Resources:

Baltimore City Community College
Department of Dental Hygiene
2901 Liberty Heights Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
410-462-7712

Adults and Children
$20 cash for adults, $15 for children <12
Preventive services only: dental hygiene, x-rays, fluoride treatments, periodontal treatment

Baltimore City Health Department
Druid Family Health Center
1515 W. North Ave
Baltimore, MD 21215
410-396-0840

Eastern Dental Clinic
620 N. Caroline St
Baltimore, MD 21205
410-396-9409

3 years of age and above (urgent care only for adults)
Medicaid eligible
Walk-in patients accepted
Preventive, emergency and restorative services

East Baltimore Quality Dental/Highlandtown Specialty Center
3701 Eastern Ave
Baltimore, MD 21224
410-327-7639

Adults and Children (3 years and above)
Medicaid accepted
Reduced fees
30% discount for self-pay patients
Walk-in patients accepted
Comprehensive dental services (deaf and Spanish interpreters available)

Chase Brexton Health Services, Inc. Dental Clinic
10 W. Eager St
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-837-2050 x 2602

Adults and Children
Gay/lesbian/transgendered community
HIV/AIDS
Medicaid accepted
Reduced fees
Preventive, prosthetic, restorative and pediatric servicesCall to schedule an appointment

GBMC Weinberg Community Health Center
1200 E. Fayette St
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-522-1270

Adults and Children
Medicaid accepted
Reduced fees
Walk-in patients accepted

Pediatric Dental Care for Head Start Children
University of Maryland Dental School
Dr. Giannina Galliani
410-706-7970

People’s Community Health Center
3028 Greenmount Ave
Baltimore, MD 21218
410-467-6040

Adults and children (3 years and above)
Medicaid accepted
Reduced fees
Walk-in patients accepted
Comprehensive dental services (Spanish interpreter available)

Quest Dental
1000 E. Eager St
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-522-9800 x 212 or 213

Adults and children (3 years and above)
Medicaid accepted
Walk-in patients accepted
Comprehensive dental services

University of Maryland Dental School
666 W. Baltimore St
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-706-7101

Adults and children
Medicaid accepted
Fee for service
Below private practice fees
Comprehensive dental services (Spanish interpreter available)

University of Maryland Medical System
22 S. Greene St
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-328-5566
Adults and children
Oral surgery/trauma, oral cancer treatment, transplant screening, cardiac screening

www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/factsheets/sgr2000-fs1.htm
www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/oh.htm
www.fha.state.md.us/oralhealth/html/survey.html