  |
|
|
|
This year the Surgeon General released its first ever study on oral health in America. The findings were not as positive as most Americans would expect. More than half of all Americans do not access dental/oral care, and the majority of people do not understand that oral health is an indicator of general health. Everyday, in private practice, I encounter people who, when asked about their health, respond that they have medical problems, but have "nothing to do with my teeth". Hopefully, the Surgeon General's Report and insight of the dental profession can help Americans realize that the head is not detached from the rest of the body!
"The first-ever Surgeon General's report on oral health identifies a "silent epidemic" of dental and oral diseases that burdens some population groups and calls for a national effort to improve oral health among all Americans. The report, commissioned by Health and Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala, also focuses on the relationship between oral health and overall good health throughout life; the mouth as a "mirror for general health and well-being and the association between oral heath problems and other health problems." "During the last 50 years, there have been dramatic improvements in oral health, and most middle-aged and younger Americans expect to retain their natural teeth over their lifetimes," Surgeon General David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D. said. "However, this report illustrates profound disparities that affect those without the knowledge or resources to achieve good oral care. Those who suffer the worst oral health include poor Americans, especially children and the elderly. Members of racial and ethnic groups also experience a disproportionate level of oral health problems. And, those with disabilities and complex health conditions are at greater risk for oral diseases that, in turn, further complicate their health." Satcher announced the report's findings at a press conference today in Washington, D.C., highlighting that good oral health and general health are inseparable. "The Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health provides important reminders that oral health means more than sound teeth. Oral health is integral to overall health," Shalala said. "Furthermore, safe and effective disease prevention measures exist that everyone can adopt to improve oral health and prevent disease." The report calls for a national partnership to provide opportunities for individuals, communities and the health professions to work together to maintain and improve the nation's oral health. Satcher also urged broadened awareness and use of common preventive tactics, including personal daily oral hygiene habits such as brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, community programs such as community water fluoridation and tobacco cessation programs, and health care provider-based interventions such as the use of dental sealants and examinations for oral and pharyngeal cancers.
The copyright of the article Surgeon General's Press Release on Oral Health in Dental Health is owned by Tracey Ryan. Permission to republish Surgeon General's Press Release on Oral Health in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
