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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General

About this resource:

HHS Non-systematic Review

Source: Office of the Surgeon General

Last Reviewed: 2000

Workgroups: Access to Health Services Workgroup, Oral Health Workgroup

This report highlights deep, important disparities in the oral health of Americans. Reasons for such disparities are complex and can include:

  • Social and economic factors 
  • Lack of community programs
  • Lack of fluoridated water 
  • Lack of transportation to a clinic
  • Inability to get time off from work 
  • Physical disability or other illness
  • Lack of resources to pay for care
  • Lack of dental insurance
  • Limited public awareness that oral health is important

The report explains that health risk factors, like tobacco use and poor dietary practices, also affect oral health.

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Objectives related to this resource (1)

Increase the proportion of people with dental insurance — AHS‑02
Target met or exceeded

Suggested Citation

1.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2000). Oral health in America: A report of the Surgeon General. Retrieved from https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2017-10/hck1ocv.%40www.surgeon.fullrpt.pdf