Lack of access to oral health care is a national problem. Preventable dental diseases continue to plague a large number of children and adults throughout the United States. Objectives: To identify factors that contribute to the lack of access to dental care in Bexar County, TX and to understand existing disparities in receiving routine dental care. Methods: A county-wide telephone survey was conducted of 1,010 adults in Bexar County, TX using a survey instrument derived from the CDC BRFSS survey. Descriptive statistics were calculated using STATA software. Results: More Hispanics (37.2%) and African-Americans (44.1%) than whites (34.9%) have not seen a dentist in two or more years. The frequency of dental examinations correlated with annual income (79.3% >$50,000/yr vs. 55.8% <$0,000/yr), health insurance (57.5% insured vs. 8.7% uninsured). The greatest disparity in dental care was related to adult education level; 46% of persons with an elementary education (K-9) had a dental examination in the past year compared to 75.9% with a college or post-graduate education. Frequency of dental examinations correlated with persons who considered themselves to be in better overall health and individuals having more frequent medical visits. Individuals diagnosed with diabetes had less frequent dental visits as did individuals with a history of tobacco use. Conclusion: Disparities in receiving routine dental care were evident in Bexar County, TX. Persons at greater risk for future development of oral disease tend to have less frequent dental visits. Strategies need to target the specific groups with greater barriers to access and higher levels of unmet need in order to eliminate the disparities in oral health. Supported by Dental Hispanic Center of Excellence, Bexar County Community Health Collaborative.

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