What are FQHCs and how do they affect dental services?

Abstract

Federally Qualified Health Centers serve, on a "cost-to-provide-care basis," low-income and other patients who cannot use private pay facilities. This is a safety-net care system that is much more comprehensive and less expensive than emergency room visits. The existence of an FQHC in a community partially removes the pressure on fee-for-service providers to make arrangements for treating dentally disadvantaged individuals. Increases in federal spending for dental services have recently outpaced declines in out-of-pocket private pay spending and sluggish improvements in insurance coverage.