Chapter 21 of Healthy People 2010 contains 17 oral health objectives. Three additional oral health objectives are located in other chapters. The goal of this chapter is to prevent and control oral and craniofacial diseases, conditions, and injuries and improve access to related services. Often people with the greatest oral health burdens have the least access to health information and the least skills to obtain health services. Lack of knowledge can affect care. If, for example, parents are not familiar with the importance and care of their child's primary teeth, they are unlikely to take appropriate action or seek professional services. The majority of people who need such information most-those in low-income groups and those with lower levels of education also are the ones who lack the information and skills to access services. Selected relevant data will be provided regarding these issues and how they relate to reducing health disparities.
Learning Objectives: Understand known oral health literacy deficiencies among the US public and the implications for achieving the oral health objectives contained in HP2010
Keywords: Oral Health, Literacy
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.