Eastern Shore Oral Health Action Network (ESOHAN)

On the Eastern Shore, dental disease and lack of access to dental care is one of the most pressing health care issues. Considerable oral health disparities remain in this area, especially among the low-income and pediatric populations. Children living on the Eastern Shore exhibit more dental disease than any other area of the State. All six counties in the CROC service area have been designated Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas. Historically, local dentists have not participated in the Medicaid program because of the low reimbursement rates and the complexity of processing claims, creating additional access barriers to dental care for low-income patients. There are no dentists in Dorchester County that accept medical assistance. Children with special health care needs and those with extensive dental disease requiring sedation have to travel at least 75 miles to Baltimore to access dental care.

CROC's work plan focuses on low-income children who are uninsured or enrolled in medical assistance. The target population for Cambridge Dental Center includes the 3,900 children residing in Dorchester County who are eligible for medical assistance. The target population for the hospital-based pediatric dental program includes low-income children in the six counties on the mid and lower Eastern Shore. There are approximately 26,800 children in who are eligible for medical assistance MA in these six counties.