By RICK KAZMER
United Way of the Southern Alleghenies
New research from United for ALICE reveals significant dental health challenges among the ALICE population — households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed. These are individuals and families who are working but still living paycheck to paycheck, often struggling to cover basic needs.
United Way’s findings show that people living below the ALICE Threshold visit the dentist less often and experience worse dental outcomes than those with higher incomes.
Key findings include differences in:
- Frequency of dental care
- Permanent tooth loss
- Cost of care and insurance coverage
- Community access to dental providers
- Dental Health Snapshot: Pennsylvania
Frequency of Care: In 2024, 61% of Pennsylvania adults below the ALICE Threshold had a dental visit within the past year, compared to 73% of adults above the threshold. Thirteen percent had gone five or more years without a dental visit — matching the national average.
Dental Health Outcomes: 21% of adults below the ALICE Threshold reported losing six or more permanent teeth to decay or gum disease, higher than the national average of 17%.
Cost of Care: In 2023, 23% of people below the ALICE Threshold in the Northeast Census Region (including Pennsylvania) skipped dental care due to cost.
Community Access: Nearly 46% of ALICE households in Pennsylvania live in areas with limited access to dental care providers.
These findings underscore how cost, access, and geography all affect health — and why United Way continues to advocate for equitable access to care for every household.
The solution? United Way of the Southern Alleghenies incorporates dental health into its early childhood education programing, providing children and parents with the tools they need to encourage dental health at the earliest stages of life. Dental-focused education typically includes free toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other educational materials.
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