April is minority health month, and there’s no better time
to focus on dental health—which so profoundly affects the overall health of
minorities. As the commemorative month comes to a close, consider the
importance of improving the oral health of all (our mission lived each day).
“Oral health implies much more than
healthy teeth. The mouth is both a cause and a reflection of individual and population
health and well-being,”
states a study published in BMC Oral
Health. This notion reflects the fact that
many of the determinants of dental health go way beyond medical factors—they
are behavioral, cultural, social, and economic as well.
For example, tooth decay is a major dental
health issue for the United States. And the food we eat plays an important role
in this. Foods rich in sugar and carbohydrates help to form plaque acid that
attacks tooth enamel. But
those who live in food deserts with no access to healthy, nutrient rich food,
may be forced to rely heavily on these foods in their diet.
Education also plays an important role in tooth decay.
According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Adults aged 35–44 years with less than a high school education experience untreated tooth decay nearly three times that of adults with at least some college education.
- In addition,
adults aged 35–44 years with less than a high school education experience
destructive periodontal (gum) disease nearly three times that of adults
with at least some college education.
Access to fluoride is also key.
Prior
to World War II, Americans
were plagued by toothache and tooth loss. But in 1948 the National Institute of Dental and
Craniofacial Research was formed and researchers began
demonstrating the effectiveness of fluoride in preventing tooth decay.
According
to a Surgeon General’s report, “Community water
fluoridation remains one of the great achievements of public health in the
twentieth century—an inexpensive means of improving oral health that benefits
all residents of a community, young and old, rich and poor alike.”
While community water fluoridation is
highly recommended by nearly all public health, medical and dental
organizations, some may still lack this important program. (Check
your community’s status in this CDC fluoride finder.)
Dental
insurance inequalities also contribute to health disparities,
as preventive oral care including check-ups and regular dental cleanings are
crucial. That is one reason we created the unique
PreventistrySM approach, which not only fully covers most preventive services, but also helps highlight
for network dentists those members at higher-risk of tooth decay.
This year’s
minority health month theme is Accelerating Health Equity for the Nation. Long
past just recognizing health inequalities, this theme calls us to improve our
work toward health equity, in part by focusing specifically on the social
determinants.
As you continue to think about this theme—hopefully long past
April—don’t forget about the intertwined importance of oral health.