The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a nationwide program aimed at improving access to dental care and educating people about the importance of oral health. Although most Americans have access to emergency medical treatment, many of them cannot get a regular dentist appointment for themselves or for their children.
There are at least 108 million Americans without dental insurance, and even those with insurance do not all have access to routine or emergency care. HHS has identified 4,320 areas in America without adequate dental coverage, affecting 49 million people including rural communities, ethnic and racial minorities, and other populations with a higher risk for oral health problems that can lead to disease, such as tooth decay.
The recently announced initiative will bring attention to the problems of poor oral health, lack of access to care, and the important connection between caring for your teeth and overall health. It will coordinate its message through organizations including Head Start, WIC (a federally-funded program for women, infants and children), Medicaid, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Offices of Women's Health and Minority Health. The initiative will emphasize research and education about the importance of disease prevention, encouraging dental care especially for children, and providing access to it.
Tooth problems are painful and can cause or be a symptom of more serious diseases. Oral health issues prevent people from going to school or work, and rarely get better on their own. The HHS initiative will send the message early and often to dentists, patients, and the health care system about the importance of early preventive care and overall oral health care, and provide resources and education to improve access to oral health care in all communities.
