Underserved Oral Health

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“In 2007, the nation spent $98.6 billion on dental services, yet many children and adults went without the services they need to prevent and control oral disease. We have interventions that can not only prevent disease but also save money” (CDC 34). Oral health for the general public, especially the underserved, has been consistently overlooked. Low-income families and developing countries, who are the most vulnerable to oral problems, are the population that is the most ignored. Five and a half percent of people, in 2007, either could not receive dental care or were putting it off. The main cause of this is money. Many insurances are not accepted by dental clinics because of the high costs of dental exams (Institute of Medicine. 38, 88). If this is not the case, why are these people delaying in protecting their oral health? What most people do not know is that oral health affects overall health. This realization began in 1944 with the Public Health Service Act; it was asking for a movement protecting oral health as it was linked to overall health (Imes par. 4). More research is coming out on this subject, but already bacteria from periodontal disease has been found in the brain, lungs, and heart (Institute of Medicine. 33). With oral health being increasingly important and low-income families and countries being …show more content…

4). This list is comprised of high-priority health issues which goals and objectives are set for ten years. There are many goals and initiatives that are part of this list, but one worth mentioning is the increase of people that visit a dentist. This goal is to raise the percentage of people from 44.5% to 49% (“Oral Health.” Health par. 22). This will not only prevent oral health problems, but will also improve the overall health of

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