Did you know Native Americans face the highest rates of untreated dental issues in the U.S, with children experiencing four times more tooth decay than their peers?

Mallory Miles-Lee, Tribal Liaison and Outreach Specialist with SunLife DentaQuest, talked to us about the severe dental crisis affecting Native American communities. Some of the problems: poverty and inadequate access to care contribute to disproportionately high rates of untreated dental decay, tooth loss, and related health complications.

Mallory talked to us about educating children early about oral health and the need to raise awareness about available resources, such as free dental insurance programs. She also talked to us about addressing cultural mistrust by building bridges between traditional practices and modern innovations.

Despite the challenges, Mallory expressed optimism about a future where education, collaboration, and advocacy can transform dentistry for underserved populations. We loved our conversation with her - give it a listen!