State of Oral Health in North Carolina

Make a Dedication

The Tribute Garden—A Living Legacy of Care and Compassion

The Tribute Garden offers a meaningful way to honor a colleague, mentor, or friend in dentistry while making a lasting impact on communities across North Carolina. Every dedication purchased supports the NC Dental Society Foundation’s vital programs, helping expand access to oral health care for those who need it most.

Oral health is a cornerstone of overall wellness, yet it is often overlooked. In North Carolina, the demand for affordable, quality dental care continues to grow. Your support through the Tribute Garden creates a permanent, sustainable revenue stream to fund our programs now—and for generations to come.

Why Oral Health Access Matters in North Carolina

Access to dental care is essential for a healthy life, yet tens of thousands of North Carolinians struggle daily to get the care they need. The NC Dental Society Foundation is working to change that.

Here’s a snapshot of the challenges our communities face:

A Statewide Challenge That Demands Action

  • Severe provider shortages: 93 of 100 NC counties are designated Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSAs). In rural regions, patients often wait months or drive hours just to see a dentist.*
  • Entire counties without dentists: Several counties, particularly in Eastern North Carolina, have no practicing dentists at all, leaving communities without even basic preventive care.
  • ERs treating preventable dental problems: Thousands of North Carolinians visit emergency departments each year for issues that could have been addressed more effectively and affordably in a dental office—a cycle that increases costs without solving the underlying problem.
  • Over 2 million residents facing barriers to care: Cost, transportation, workforce shortages, and lack of local providers leave millions without access to essential dental services.

*Based on findings from Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas.

The Ripple Effects of Limited Access

When dental care is out of reach, the consequences are far-reaching:

  • Children miss school due to dental pain
  • Adults miss work, sometimes jeopardizing employment
  • Chronic health conditions worsen without proper oral care
  • Health care costs rise for individuals and hospitals
  • Long-term outcomes deteriorate without preventive treatment

Oral health is not separate from overall health—it underpins it. When access to care fails, families, communities, and the health system all suffer.

The Tribute Garden is more than a place of remembrance. It is a living investment in the health and future of North Carolina. By honoring someone through a dedication, you are helping to ensure that dental care reaches every corner of our statetoday and for years to come.