Let’s work toward oral health equity
Almost half of all low-income and non-Hispanic Black adults have tooth decay that has gone without treatment. Kids are in pain and getting behind at school, low-income families and people of color are suffering. Too many families either don’t have coverage or can’t afford to pay for dental care because it takes money away from everyday survival. These social determinants are very real for the nearly 60 million Americans who don’t have access to dental care.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines social determinants of health as “conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health and quality-of life-risks and outcomes.” Put simply: where you live often determines how healthy you are.