Many Vermonters have insufficient or nonexistent access to dental care, and the state is losing dental providers, according to a new report released Thursday. 

The Vermont Oral Health Equity Landscape Report, published by the nonprofit Voices for Vermont’s Children, found that, over roughly the past half-decade, Vermont has lost dentists at a faster rate than almost every other state and seen a decline in its children’s dental health.

The state has also been slow to roll out new dental procedures — non-invasive methods that could easily and cheaply improve oral health for many Vermonters, according to the report. 

“It’s very clear that oral health is a key component of overall systemic well being,” Michelle Fay, the executive director of Voices for Vermont’s Children, said in an interview. “And the system that we have set up isn’t working.”

According to national data from the American Dental Association cited in the report, Vermont had nearly 60 dentists per 100,000 residents in 2019, roughly the national rate.

The state reached that figure “after many years of robust recruitment and policy incentives meant to bolster the dental workforce,” the report reads. But the Covid-19 pandemic erased those gains: As of 2023, Vermont had only 53 dentists per 100,000 residents, the second-steepest decline in the country, per the report. 

From 2015 to 2021, the number of dental hygienists practicing in the state also declined by about 4%, according to data cited by the report. The number of public health dental hygienists — hygienists employed by the Vermont Department of Health — dropped from five prior to Covid-19 to one currently, the report reads. 

The state has also struggled to add dental therapists, professionals who perform routine dental care, to the ranks of practitioners. Last year, the Vermont state auditor found that Vermont State University had failed to stand up a dental therapy program, even after seven years and a $2.6 million investment of public funds. 

One bright spot noted in the report is Vermont Medicaid’s coverage of dental care. As a whole, Vermont dentists see more Medicaid patients than any other state, although its Medicaid reimbursement rates for dental care were mixed: adult reimbursement rates were relatively high, while rates for children’s dental care were in the middle of the pack nationally. 

Still, Fay said, accessing dental care as a Medicaid patient is not easy. Some dentists may think, “in theory, I’ll take a Medicaid patient,” Fay said, “but only if I haven’t filled all my slots with either private pay or insurance with a higher reimbursement.”

The report also notes that Vermont providers have been slow to adopt new, inexpensive and minimally invasive dental procedures. The report names two specifically: silver diamine fluoride and silver modified atraumatic restorative technique, methods in which protective materials are applied to the outside of teeth. 

Those procedures could have a significant impact on Vermonters’ dental health at low cost, the report says. 

Voices for Vermont’s Children recommends that the state invest in low-cost dental facilities and procedures across the state, including the integration of dental facilities with primary care facilities. The state’s health department should also consider a public education campaign focused on oral health, the report says. 

“The top line is really just the need to think differently about integrating oral health into overall health,” Fay said, “and using all available treatment models to meet the needs of these communities.”

The weather is getting colder and the days are getting shorter, but the dark days of winter bring with them a beloved holiday tradition sure to brighten up anyone’s day – Christmas lights.

And no where does Christmas like Vermont, just ask the Hallmark Channel.

To experience the dazzling lights of the holiday season, you don’t have to go far. Whether you want to stroll through a park, watch a parade or take in the lights from your car, Vermont is sure to have the holiday light display for you.

Here are six in-state Christmas light displays to check out this holiday season.

Winter Lights at Shelburne Museum

On nights during the holiday season, Shelburne Museum turns into a winter wonderland full of colorful light displays. Each building and garden of the museum’s campus is uniquely decorated, from cascading twinkling lights at Beach Woods to the 220-foot illuminated steamboat “Ticonderoga.”

New this year, Shelburne will feature a circus display filled with whimsical figures under an illuminated Big Top tent. The museum will also have two gift shops and a café with hot chocolate open until 8 p.m. each night of the light display.

Online tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 3-17 or $30 for VIP. Shelburne recommends purchasing online, as tickets at the door are more expensive and not guaranteed. For those who want to experience the dazzling lights from their car, drive around nights are available on select days for $65 per car.

When: Winter Lights is open on select days from Nov. 21, 2024 through Jan. 1, 2025. The event starts at 4:30 p.m., and the last admission is at 7 p.m. Sensory-friendly nights will be Dec. 9 and Dec. 16, and drive through nights are Dec. 3-4, Dec. 10-11, Dec. 17-18 and Jan. 2-5.

Where: Shelburne Museum, 6000 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, VT

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A Forest of Lights

Nature lovers can experience the beautiful Vermont outdoors lit up for the holiday season at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) Nature Center in Quechee. A Forest of Lights, the nature center’s holiday light special, is an outdoor walkthrough experience with thousands of lights in exciting displays, including the Snow Shower Tower, Snow Globe, Whimsical Woodland and Mandala Trees.

When you finish walking through the illuminated forest, hot chocolate and light snacks are available for purchase to enjoy by the campfire.

Tickets cost $13 for adults or $8 for children over three.

When: This nature-filled light display is open from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on weekends and other select days from Nov. 22, 2024 through Jan. 4, 2025.

Where: VINS Nature Center, 149 Natures Way, Quechee, VT

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Christmas Lights at the Joseph Smith Birthplace

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrates Christmas with an outdoor light display at the birthplace of the church’s founder, Joseph Smith. Over 200,000 colorful lights decorate the grounds of the South Royalton monument.

Visitors can walk or drive along the decorated path for free.

When: After an official lighting on Nov. 29, this light show will be open daily through Jan. 1, 2025. Hours are 4 to 9 p.m.

Where: Joseph Smith Birthplace, 357 Lds Lane, S. Royalton, VT

Winter Lights in the Park

This free, family-friendly light display allows guests to walk through lit trees and tunnels in Maple Street Park while holiday music floats through the air. Winter Lights in the Park also doubles as a scavenger hunt for hidden ornaments throughout the decorated trees.

When: Maple Street Park’s lights will be on from 5 to 8 p.m. daily from Nov. 28, 2024 through Jan. 1, 2025.

Where: Maple Street Park, 75 Maple St., Essex Junction, VT

Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade

Manchester’s holiday tractor parade is back for its 14th year, offering a unique mobile light show. As part of the town’s holiday celebration Manchester Merriment, the parade brings tractors and floats decked out in lights and holiday decorations to the heart of downtown Manchester.

Attendance to the town’s holiday parade is free.

When: This year’s tractor parade is Saturday, Dec. 7 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Where: The parade takes place in downtown Manchester on Main and Bonnet St.

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Spruce Peak Lights Festival

Held for one night only at The Village at Spruce Peak, the Spruce Peak Lights Festival illuminates the ski village and surrounding evergreen trees with thousands of holiday lights.

Other attractions at this event include ice dancing performances, photos with Santa and a firework show.

When: Spruce Peak’s 2024 lights festival will take place on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. The annual lighting will be at 7 p.m.

Where: Spruce Peak Village, 559 Spruce Peak Road, Stowe, VT