A report published Dec. 21 by the National Institutes of Health details the oral health of Americans in the last 20 years and provides a road map to improve oral health in the U.S.
Five things to know:
1. The 790-page report, "Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges," was created by the NIH’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research with the help of a team of 400 experts.
2. The report provides updated information from a report published in 2000 using public research and evidence-based practices, details innovations in technology and healthcare delivery and highlights the importance of oral health to overall well-being.
3. The report focuses on several factors contributing to oral health, including social and economic elements, other health conditions and substance misuse.
4. COVID-19 emerged as the report was being compiled, but authors included a preliminary analysis of the pandemic's initial impact on oral health.
5. Recommendations include the integration of oral health with behavioral and medical health care in various settings, diversification of the healthcare workforce, addressing the rising cost of dental education, expanding insurance coverage and improving affordability of treatment.