OAR 409-017-0121: Dental Therapy Definition of Underserved Populations

(1) The purpose of this rule is to define the term “underserved population” per ORS 679.624 for the Board of Dentistry Dental Therapy rules. (2) The term “Underserved Population” refers to populations experiencing a shortage of dental health services due to systemic inequities causing an inability to pay, lack of access to culturally responsive, linguistically appropriate, and comprehensive care, or other inequities for reasons of race, ethnicity, national origin, language, disability, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, religion, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances. These populations include, but are not limited to: (a) Latino/a/x populations; (b) Black or African American populations; (c) American Indian/Alaska Native populations; (d) Asian populations; (e) Middle Eastern and North African populations; (f) Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations; (g) Slavic and Eastern European populations; (h) Immigrants and Refugees; (i) Individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP); (j) Persons with disabilities; (k) LGBTQ+ populations; (L) Pregnant women, new mothers, and women with children; (m) Individuals transitioning out of incarceration; (n) Members of religious minorities; (o) People experiencing unstable housing/houselessness/homelessness; (p) Migrant and seasonal farmworkers, and related family members; (q) Young adults and postsecondary graduating students who do not have coverage options through a parent's plan, a student plan, or an employer plan; (r) Government program-eligible consumers, regardless of whether they are actually enrolled in the program, including those eligible for OHP, Healthier Together Oregon/Cover All Oregonians, DHS foster children; (s) Uninsured or under-insured individuals, including those receiving coverage though community-based programs or funds; (t) Other populations not listed above experiencing inequities.