Everyone deserves to enjoy the benefits of good oral health.
Achieving health equity includes ensuring everyone has access oral health care. Unfortunately, oral health disparities persist. Communities of color, rural areas, lower-income households, and people who speak a language other than English at home disproportionately experience the effects of poor oral health and are more likely to face barriers to accessing care.
To achieve health equity, we need to ensure adults have access to dental care when needs emerge and public health measures that help prevent oral disease before it happens. Poor oral health can have impacts beyond an unappealing smile or bad breath. Tooth loss and visible cavities can impact employment opportunities, nutrition, self-confidence, and how others perceive you. Untreated cavities and oral disease also can affect overall health, influencing chronic conditions like heart disease, pregnancy, stroke, diabetes, and general well-being.
Smart investments that expand access to preventive measures like water fluoridation and timely oral health care can profoundly impact a person’s life and advance health equity in our communities. Everyone deserves to enjoy the benefits of good oral health.
If you or a family member needs help finding a Washington state dentist, click here.
Click here to urge lawmakers to continue their support for comprehensive Apple Health adult dental benefits.
Oral Health Watch
4 hours ago
Water fluoridation is one of the simplest, most effective ways to prevent cavities. It helps protect teeth every day, benefits people of all ages and income levels, and supports healthier communities. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 days ago
Dental care access matters for the entire family! Studies show when caregivers and parents receive regular dental care, their kids are more likely to have good oral health, practice preventive habits, and avoid missed school due to dental problems. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
With untreated cavities increasing among Washington children across every racial and ethnic group, prevention is more important than ever. Community water fluoridation, sealants, fluoride varnishes, and access to regular checkups helps make it possible for kids to start life with a healthy smile. ...#teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
5 days ago
Access to preventive oral health care, fluoride, sealants and early treatment matters. Prevention protects health—and prevents a small problem from becoming a lifelong burden. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
6 days ago
One cavity can begin a lifetime cycle of fillings, repairs, pain and costly dental treatment. That’s why ensuring access to preventive dental care—and proven measures such as fluoride, dental sealants and regular checkups—is both sound health policy and a wise investment. Preventing disease ...before it starts improves health, reduces long-term costs and helps people keep their natural teeth throughout their lives. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 weeks ago
Healthy communities begin with access to preventive care - including oral health care. Regular checkups, screenings, and preventive measures like community water fluoridation help prevent disease and keep people healthy at every stage of life. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 weeks ago
Access to preventive oral health care is fiscally responsible public policy. Regular care helps prevent small problems from becoming painful, complex, and costly. Investing in prevention lowers long-term costs while supporting healthier people, stronger communities and a more productive workforce. ...#teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 weeks ago
Summer is busy and getting kids to brush and floss regularly isn’t always easy.
Thankfully, fluoridated water provides added protection against cavities, helping keep those busy smiles healthy and happy all summer long. ☀️🪥🚰😁 #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 weeks ago
Community health centers succeed through collaboration with public, non-profit and industry partners. From hospitals to schools, businesses to government leaders, food banks to public housing, these partnerships drive innovation and advance health. #NHCW26 #teethmatter