Oral Health and Global Public Health- A Review

Abstract:

The oral cavity and the structures within are essential to life processes such as eating, speaking, and breathing. Main components of the oral cavity include the tongue, teeth, gums, and oral microbiome. The health of the oral cavity has strong bidirectional associations with overall health, and frequent oral manifestations of systemic diseases gives the mouth strong diagnostic potential. With an estimated burden of over 3.5 billion cases, oral diseases are considered a public health crisis. There is a strong and consistent association between socioeconomic status and the prevalence and severity of oral diseases, establishing a disproportionate burden. Factors that can impact the integrity of the oral cavity include age, nutrition, and genetics. Modifiable risk factors include diet, quality of oral hygiene, unhealthy lifestyle choices, and their underlying social determinants. Challenges preventing access to oral care include high expenses, lack of insurance, lack of perceived need, unavailability of dental offices, transportation issues, fear of dental treatment, and scheduling difficulties. These barriers have varying impacts on individuals, but especially impact marginalized communities, and stretch beyond physical health to include mental health challenges.. The role of healthcare workers in community based oral health awareness programs is discussed and emphasized. There has been some evidence to show that oral health promotion programs are more effective when delivered by healthcare professionals and targeted towards parents and children under the age of 6.

The full paper has been published in the Scholarly Review, and can be read here: https://doi.org/10.70121/001c.121722