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
2 hours ago
31 of Washington state's 39 counties are designated dental health professional shortage areas - meaning there aren't enough providers to meet the community's needs. Investments and programs that expand access to preventive oral health care and dental treatments is not only a good ...health policy - it's a matter of equity. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 hours ago
31 of Washington state's 39 counties are designated dental health professional shortage areas - meaning there aren't enough providers to meet the community's needs. Investments and programs that expand access to preventive oral health care and dental treatments is not only a good ...health policy - it's a matter of equity. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 days ago
Oral health care access and quality of life are connected. Untreated oral disease and painful cavities can impact general well-being, school attendance, employment opportunity, social interaction, and fundamental functions like chewing, speech and sleep. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 days ago
Oral health care access and quality of life are connected. Untreated oral disease and painful cavities can impact general well-being, school attendance, employment opportunity, social interaction, and fundamental functions like chewing, speech and sleep. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
Preventing disease is preferable to treating illness. The Apple Health (Washington state Medicaid) dental program is an essential service that leads to better health outcomes, reduces healthcare costs, and improves quality of life. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
Preventing disease is preferable to treating illness. The Apple Health (Washington state Medicaid) dental program is an essential service that leads to better health outcomes, reduces healthcare costs, and improves quality of life. #teethmatter