Oral Health

It has become increasingly clear that our oral health is linked to our overall health. Improvements in oral health can have a positive effect on our lives, even leading to decreased mortality. Yet dental care is one of the most neglected aspects of our general health care. Many employers do not offer dental insurance, leading a number of Americans to forgo routine visits to the dentist - an imperative step in maintaining healthy mouths, teeth and gums. Good oral health is something that should start at an early age, yet many children get left behind when it comes to their dental care. And there are few preventative dental options for the most vulnerable populations, as state and federal programs generally offer patchwork solutions.

Resources

Regional

Grant Reports

Infographics

National

  • This link opens a Word document. Kansas Dental Project, April 10, 2012

  • This link opens a pdf. Published April 2012

  • National Survey of Children’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

  • The PEW Center on the States, February 2010

  • Information, resources and success stories about rural dental health

  • At A Glance 2010, Centers For Disease Control and Prevention 2010

  • High-quality resources that analyze data, describe effective programs, and report on policy and research aimed at improving access to oral health care and quality of oral health for infants, children, adolescents, and pregnant women. Georgetown University.

  • A helpful collection of oral health research, policy and programming information, including report cards on parity-focused initiatives.

  • CDC Oral Health Indicators, along with a link to state oral health summaries

  • The Fiscal Times, July 20, 2010

  • Medline Plus

  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention

  • Designs and advances research-driven policies and innovative solutions by engaging a broad base of partners committed to children and oral health, including professionals, communities, policymakers and parents.

  • NIDCR/CDC Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Data Resource Center

News

National

  • Kaiser Health News, June 11, 2015
    2015-06-12 09:01
  • Kaiser Health News, Feb. 18, 2015
    2015-02-27 12:00

Regional

  • KHI News Service, Feb. 25, 2015
    2015-02-27 11:41
  • KHI News Service, Jan. 22, 2015
    2015-01-23 10:19
  • By Andy Marso for KHI News Service, Nov. 3, 2014
    2014-11-06 23:26
  • KHI News, October 17, 2014
    2014-10-20 10:34