US institutions have a long history of segregating communities of color, concentrating resources in white communities, and designing systems that benefit white people. This leads to preventable differences in the health of our mouths, teeth, and gums, which are closely connected to our overall health.
WHAT IMPACTS ORAL HEALTH?
Genetics and behaviors have less of an impact on health than social determinants, which are largely out of our control.
- Social Determinants of Access to Care, such as dental insurance or transportation to a clinic, impact our ability to get dental care
- Social Determinants of Health, such as proximity to grocery stores, impact our ability to make healthy life choices
- Social Determinants of Equity are underlying social, political, and economic forces, such as racism, that shape our world