Access to Dental Care

Lookbook Vol. 2

DEFINITION

As of 2018, the percentage of women ages 18-44 who reported having one or more people they think of as their personal doctor or health care provider.26

70 percent

71.8 percent

OKLAHOMA

NATIONAL AVERAGE

Consistent Primary Care

Data Highlight:

Oklahoma ranks 36 (of 50) for the provision of consistent primary health care.26

Why We Care:

There are few relationships requiring such a high level of trust and transparency as that between a patient and their physician. For women, consistent primary care is especially crucial as studies show women with this care between the ages of 20-64 are four times more likely to miss screenings for breast and cervical cancer than their peers with primary care.26 Positive, consistent health care interactions are especially important for younger women who are more likely to become pregnant as it helps those women begin pregnancy healthier due to their regularly attending check-ups.26 Latinx women tend to see a regular doctor less than their Black or White peers. Low-income women are also less likely to have a regular physician. As the field of medicine is dominated by White, affluent men and women, diversifying the clinician base to include those representative of the communities they serve could increase trust and improve health care interactions with women of color and other marginalized women.26

What We Can Do:

- Ensure community clinics in underserved communities are well-staffed and able to facilitate positive, culturally-competent, long-lasting relationships with their patients through culturally informed practices - Expand access to affordable, high-quality insurance in order for women to access primary care for prevention services more readily - Provide more dynamic pathways from medical school entrance to foster more biographically representative physicians - Ensure that mid-level providers are permitted to practice within the full scope of their license

p. 14