Oral Health Care

"Poor dental health increases the risk for a myriad of systemic diseases and poor health outcomes including diabetes,and heart disease. Associations have been documented between periodontal disease diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, poor oral health has been associated with premature birth, and poor birth outcomes. Poor birth outcomes can stem from the influx of infant mortality across the US; thus significantly impacting the overall health of women. Women who come from low social economic areas, underserved populations, and underrepresented groups should be provided the necessary access to oral health care to assist with overall systemic health of women and prevent health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, premature birth, and poor birth outcomes. Overall, as a healthcare profession we must come together for the betterment of women’s health and advocate overall systemic health including oral health. There are 47 million people in the United States (US) currentlyliving in places where it is difficult to access health and dental care . There is a particular lack of access to oral health care in the US for rural, underserved, uninsured and low-income populations; thus having a huge impact on women and pregnant women. People with low oral health literacy/knowledge are less likely to seek preventive care, comply with prescribed treatment, and maintain self-care regimens needed to control chronic diseases. Therefore, women who lack access to oral health care and poor oral health literacy are at increased risk for poor systemic health outcomes. (Vanderbilt AA (2014) Oral Healthcare and Health Disparities for Women: A Brief Report. J Women’s Health Care)"

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Last date updated on April, 2024