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Individuals' utilization of dental services depends upon an array of factors, including access to care, financial restrictions, attitudes toward dental care, and dental fear. These factors, in turn, may vary across geographic locations and demographic groups. The goals of this study were to assess the use of dental services in both rural and urban areas of Kentucky and to examine challenges facing practitioners in rural areas. Individuals sampled from a rural population and patients in rural and urban dental clinics completed questionnaires about use of dental services, self-rated dental health, and dental fear. While these variables were strongly interrelated, differences emerged across locations. Patients in the urban area reported having more dental insurance but not better dental health. Patients in more rural areas reported seeking more emergency dental treatment but not more dental fear. While these factors are important considerations across locations, dental practitioners in rural areas in particular should be aware of barriers to dental care facing individuals in these areas. They have unique opportunities to provide education to their patients regarding the importance of dental care and the role of oral health in overall physical health.

A 15-year-old girl with ectodermal dysplasia who had been treated previously with minimal orthodontic intervention and removal prosthesis was seen and evaluated at the General Practice Program at the University of Kentucky. After consultations with orthodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery, an interdisciplinary staged treatment plan was developed to address her skeletal and dental issues. The authors briefly review the literature with respect to current therapy for patients with ectodermal dysplasia and present the case as an example of the coordinated care provided for a patient with complex skeletal and dental issues.

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