Giving Policy Some Teeth: Routes To Reducing Disparities In Oral Health

• Published in: Health Affairs Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 404 - 412
• Main Authors: Fisher-Owens, Susan A, Barker, Judith C, Adams, Sally, Chung, Lisa H, Gansky, Stuart A, Hyde, Susan, Weintraub, Jane A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Health Affairs 01.03.2008; The People to People Health Foundation, Inc., Project HOPE
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Chronic illnesses; Dental care; Dental Health Services - standards; Dental insurance; Dental schools; Dental service; Ethnic Groups; Female; Health care; Health care policy; Health Policy; Health Services Accessibility - standards; Health Services Needs and Demand; Health Status Disparities; Hispanic Americans; Humans; Low income groups; Minority & ethnic groups; Older people; Oral diseases; Oral Health; Poverty; Pregnancy; Teeth; United States; United States; United States > US
• ISSN: 0278-2715; 1544-5208
• DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.27.2.404

Despite improvements in oral health status and clear links between oral and systemic health, oral health is not accorded the same importance in health care policy as is general health. This review of oral health disparities over the life span documents the results of this inequity. Dental concerns and unmet dental treatment needs, especially among vulnerable populations, are not well addressed in oral health policies. We offer examples of discrepancies between policy and needs and examples of successful interventions that integrate oral health care with informed policy.