The Importance Of Oral Health, It Is Still Neglected By Most Individuals

Grants have a great value in providing dental care in community health centers particularly dental clinics that represent a large public investment to address the dental health needs of a diverse underserved rural and urban communities, and uninsured populations. The grants that fund community health centers play a critical role in financial support to provide dental services for patients in Medicaid non-expansion states who are more likely to be uninsured. Grant funding enables community health centers to provide services not covered by most programs, such as adult dental care, transportation, translation services, and use sliding fees for privately insured patients who cannot afford their deductibles and cost-sharing (Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2017).

Many low income areas have dental therapists as part of their local dental team. Many people in these areas have never been to a dentist or do not go every six months as recommended this poses many other health problems. There has been case studies and data showing that in these areas dental health

In “Where are all the Dentists?”, Kristen Lewis states that there are not enough dentists in rural areas, but that can be fixed. Many people in the modern world live in poverty and don't have the dental support they need. This is because regular dental treatment can cost up to $100, which is a lot for some people who don't have regular dental access. Having a dental degree is very pricey, so when the dentists come out of dental school, they are usually in debt. Because of this, dentists like to work in modern environments where they can get good business. But in places with not a lot of money, there are less or no dentists. These “dental deserts” have many people with untreated cavities and other bad tooth diseases. Because of that, dentists

In the course of my time volunteering at the UCSD Student-Run Free Dental Clinics, I came to understand how poverty, language barriers, and a lack of knowledge about the importance of dental care can lead to readily preventable and treatable dental problems. These dental problems can lead to a cascade of issues, preventing an individual’s progress. As a clinic volunteer inside the school’s dental clinic, I noticed young students, with poor dental care, have constant pain that affected their studies and attitude. I recall a Hispanic young boy telling me he was sharing a toothbrush with his family. I hand over multiple toothbrushes and, using Spanish cards, educate him on oral hygiene. With each treatment visit, he was eager to tell the dentist

This proves that the lack of dental insurance within these low-income households plays a key role in whether or not these children will receive dental care. When these children do not visit the dentist, they increase their chances of developing dental caries significantly. The British Dental Journal disclosed that, “Sugars consumption varies by social class. National food surveys reveal a higher consumption of sugar and sugar-containing foods and drinks amongst low income groups”(Watt 8). Healthy food is expensive; therefore lower class families resort to unhealthy food because it is significantly cheaper. This extensive consumption of sugar-ridden foods is extremely detrimental to the enamel. The British Dental Journal also declared that “oral inequalities will only be reduced through the implementation of effective and appropriate oral health promotion policy”(Watt 6). The dental program will make the inequalities in dental care known and work to reduce those inequalities. Dental health is often times overseen because it is typically expensive and people are unaware of how the condition of their teeth affects the condition of the rest of their body. The all-inclusive dental health program will give people the treatment they need, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

The socioeconomic background of people is a major factor that dictates whether or not they will receive dental care. According to the American Journal of Public Health, “Children from a low socioeconomic status have been shown to have a high risk of dental caries”(Simmer-Beck 1764). Many children today do not receive the dental care they need because of their parents’ income. Going to the dentist is expensive for people without dental insurance so many people tend to blow it off; but what they don’t realize is that the condition of their mouth often dictates the state of the rest of their health. An internet source in correspondence with the American Journal of Public Health stated that, “More than half of low income-children without

Dental insurance coverage is a key determinant on whether to seek care or not. The exclusion of our mouths from the rest of our body parts and not receiving the care it requires is quite impossible to rationalize (McClymont, 2015). Dental care is essential in the maintenance of good oral health and in the identification of symptoms of systemic conditions that most likely are manifested through the mouth. As striking and conspicuous as it may sound, Canada has indeed a type of health care system wherein mouth is excepted as a part of the body. As a matter of fact, our lips, tongues, and throats are securely covered while our teeth and gums are left out from the privilege. The most common infectious disease in the world are dental diseases, and the fact that many health issues can be first diagnosed through the oral cavity validates its importance and co-relevance to the rest of our body. Studies have linked poor oral health such as severity of gum infection to AIDS, first stages of osteoporosis, reveal nutritional deficiencies, immune disorders, cancer, and so on and so forth. Xerostomia or dry mouth for an instance is often a symptom of undetected diabetes. Diabetic patients have higher risks of gum infection caused by increased blood sugar, thickening of blood vessels resulting to hindered healing process that is why they are obligated to undergo pre-medication as a form

Many people feel that dental care coverage in health insurance and visiting the dentist regularly are not essential. However, poor oral hygiene is linked to diseases such as diabetes and heart problem. Moreover, researches has shown that oral diseases have a great link to ear and sinus infections, weakened immune systems, and other health conditions (Scully, 2000). Untreated dental conditions have the potential to affect children’s speech, social development, and quality of life. However, it is known that greater utilization of health services associated with increasing insurance coverage, thus directly increase medical costs (Finkelstein et al., 2012; Newhouse, 1996). In fact, insurance coverage can indirectly reduce total health costs. As one type of healthcare service or preventive treatment may lead to decreases the use of other covered services. For example, yearly visit to the dental office for general checkup may prevent the future need for emergency dental care due to undiagnosed or untreated dental cavity (Hsu et al., 2006; Kaestner, 2012; Shang & Goldman, 2007).

It appears to backs this notion by the lack of unified healthcare, fewer fee based dental clinics versus health clinics, lack of supportive legislation and fewer people with dental coverage versus healthcare coverage (Fingar, et al., 2015). Much to my dismay, dental care is a major health disparity. Three quarters of my career has been spent in the emergency department (ED). During these years, we continue to see patients with dental issues. Admittedly, their main reason for seeking care from the ED is that they lack dental insurance. Under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), these patients cannot be turned away from the ED due to their lack of ability to pay. Daily we treat patients with mouth pain related to dental caries, mouth abscesses and fractured teeth. Patients have told me that they are saving to have the tooth pull which can cost at least $100. I have had several crowns placed in my mouth and I can attest that this procedure costs approximately $500 with decent insurance and triple this amount without insurance. The general reason for my concern, is that, dental infections can lead to other serious health problems such has respiratory infections, heart value disease or brain abscesses (Li, Kolltveit, Tronstad, & Olsen, 2000). I witnessed my 32 year old female patient die after surgery for removal of an infected brain abscess. The day prior, she confessed that it was related to dental

In “Where Are All the Dentists?”, Kristin Lewis explains that millions of people don't have dental care, so mobile dentists are on the job. The true problem is the lack of dental care people receive. Why is that and how bad is it you may ask. Well according to “Where Are All the Dentists?”, “...one in seven kids between the ages of 12 and 19 have at least one untreated cavity…” This is terrible because unhealthy mouths can lead to surgery and other major health problems later on in life. Why are people getting inadequate care? Well there is not one answer to this. Some people simply find it too expensive seeing that an average check up is around $100. Others simply have no dentist to go to, these are called dental deserts and the office can

The economy plays an important factor of what people want to spend their money on. Dental/ oral health care is important to most people in today’s today world. Since the dental/ oral health industry is very big there are many trends that are arising such as the cost of dental care increase or decreasing, market of the industry and lastly global dental industry.

As mentioned earlier, some areas have fluoride in their water source, leading to less tooth decay within the populations. However, not all communities implement the fluoridation policy. In another point of importance, across the United States, “approximately one-third of Americans are unable to receive regular dental care” (ADA 2010). This can be due to the lack of available dental clinics in their geographical are (accessibility), but it can also be due to the individual’s income. In a documentary by Frontline called, “Dollars and Dentists”, they mention that, “over 100 million Americans don’t go to the dentist simply because they can’t afford it.” (Frontline 2012) This leads to them either ending up bankrupt attempting to fix the health issue, or left in severe pain (sometimes even death if left untreated). The income gap is one of the key drivers of the oral health disparities existing in not only the U.S., but the entire

Globally, underprivileged groups in both developed and developing countries have been identified as the most burdened and vulnerable population for oral diseases (Bedos, Levine, & Brodeur, 2009; Petersen et al., 2005). Studies on access to oral health care in the Canadian context have pointed to low-income populations, the unemployed, isolated indigenous populations, and other socio-economically vulnerable groups as people who need oral health services most. These studies have pointed to the poor oral health status of visible minority groups such as immigrants (Calvasina, Muntaner, & Quinonez, 2015; Calvasina, Muntaner, & Quiñonez, 2014, 2015; Lai & Hui, 2007), the elderly (Lai & Hui, 2007; Yao & MacEntee, 2014b), and Aboriginal populations

Although many Americans have good oral hygiene due to fluoride and making everyday good decisions, others do not have any access at all to oral health care. Over the years, dentists have been trying to demonstrate the importance of oral care. (“Access to Dental Care”) From commercials to campaigns, dentists will continue to demonstrate to their patients as well as to the people who don't have insurance the importance of oral health care. They will teach them preventative care and some techniques on how to prevent from getting any diseases.

Oral Health is mostly affected in the greatest ethnic and racial disparity among children is