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
7 hours ago
As cost of living and affordability remain top concerns for households, investments like community water fluoridation are needed more than ever. Water fluoridation prevents cavities by 25%, helping reduce pain, costly dental treatments, and protecting oral health for everyone regardless of age and ...income level. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 days ago
Hospital emergency departments are often where people go when oral pain or infection becomes unbearable. But emergency care is not designed to address the underlying causes of oral disease. That's why access to preventive care matters, helping reduce needless pain, avoid costly emergency ...visits, and save families and communities money. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
Many common prescription medications can cause dry mouth, increasing the risk of cavities, oral disease and other mouth issues. That's why integrating oral health into medical care is so important so patients can collaborate with medical, dental and medication experts to protect teeth and ...gums. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
3 days ago
Good oral health starts early. The Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) Program makes preventive care more accessible, more equitable, and more effective for children across Washington so more of the state's youngest kids get a healthier start. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
4 days ago
Poor oral health hurts much more than your smile. Nearly 1 in 3 (29%) of lower income adults report the condition and appearance of their mouth and teeth negatively affect their ability to interview for a job. But the good news is we can fix this! Proven strategies like water fluoridation and ...expanding access to care can reduce dental health disparities so every adult has an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of good oral health. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 weeks ago
Non-medical conditions like racism, sexism, discrimination, the language spoken at home, and where a person lives and works can influence health as much as behavior and insurance status. Addressing social determinants of health is essential to improving outcomes, advancing equity, and reducing ...systemic health disparities, including oral health. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 weeks ago
Getting kids to consistently brush and floss is a top parental struggle. Community water fluoridation acts as crucial safety net, helping prevent cavities and improving overall oral health. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 weeks ago
June is Pride Month! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Addressing oral health inequities is essential for workforce well-being and public health. But hashtag#DYK LGBTQ+ adults face significant oral health disparities, including a 77% higher likelihood of using emergency rooms for dental crises due to ...historical discrimination? That is why it is important for health care providers to recognize that inclusivity drives outcomes and practicing true allyship requires:
🤎 Inclusive communication like intake forms that support diverse gender identities and pronouns.
🖤 Clinical competence that understands diverse terminology and unique health disparities
💛 Safe spaces that foster an environment free from judgment
hashtag#PrideMonth hashtag#teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 weeks ago
It's important to remember to stay hydrated as temperatures climb and summer approaches. Choosing water (fluoridated provides added protection against cavities) over soda and other sweetened drinks is a simple way to support overall health, oral health, and energy throughout the day. ...#teethmatter