Why Oral Health

Oral health drives whole health

Oral health and whole health are deeply connected, impacting everything from the ability to eat and speak, to academic success, job opportunities, and chronic disease prevention. Yet too many Texans still face barriers to care, challenges to preventative measures, and health systems that treat the mouth separately from the body, resulting in poor oral health and overall health outcomes. When everyone has the opportunity to achieve their best oral health, we see healthier, stronger communities.

An estimated 2 million Texans live in dental shortage areas.

Reference: Health Resources and Services Administration

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children in the United States.

Reference: American Academy of Pediatrics

When oral disease goes untreated, working Texans and employers pay the price.

Reference: CareQuest Institute

Neglected dental issues often lead to emergency care and hospital admissions, adding avoidable costs to the health system and ultimately to communities.

Reference: Texas Health Institute

Untreated dental disease costs the United States $45 billion annually in lost productivity and 243 million work and school hours annually.

Reference: CareQuest I nstitute

A Vision for Oral Health Equity: Community Perspectives

Advancing the Oral Health Movement in Texas