Emma Blystone

Florida ranks among the lowest states for dental care access, with 65 of its 67 counties facing shortages of dental professionals. Nearly 6 million residents live in federally designated dental health professional shortage areas (HPSAs). In Alachua County, residents have access to only about 11% of the dental providers who are available for residents in Miami-Dade.

Florida ranks among the lowest states for dental care access, with 65 of its 67 counties facing shortages of dental professionals. Nearly six million residents live in federally designated dental health professional shortage areas (HPSAs). In Alachua County, residents have access to only about 11% of the dental providers who are available for residents in Miami-Dade.

Editor's note: Alan asked that his full name not be used out of sensitivity to his wife and her prior medical condition. For this reason, he is being identified by his middle name. Alan never expected to be waiting for medical advice in the back corner of a northwest Gainesville church in January, whispering his wife's medical history to a student volunteer behind a makeshift privacy screen that did nothing to prevent being overheard.