Between October 18–21, this website will move to a new web address (from health.gov to odphp.health.gov). During that time, some functions might not work as expected. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we’re working to make this transition as smooth as possible.

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.

Read more about this resource

Objectives related to this resource (1)

Increase the proportion of people with dental insurance — AHS‑02
Improving

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