Assessing Global Community Oral Health Efforts to Promote Well-Being

The connection between oral and systemic health is often unknown, disregarded, and/or ignored. Oral health disparities continue to persist and are further exacerbated due to this lack of knowledge or disregard. Inequitable access to oral health care, lack of community and/or provider knowledge of preventive oral health care, and lack of oral health capacity are a few of the issues that must be addressed. Recognizing the connection between oral and systemic health has the potential to advance overall health. Models utilizing this approach that increase providers’ knowledge and skill sets greatly enhance the oral and systemic care provided in urban and rural communities in the global setting. Additionally, the provision of culturally appropriate care is essential to allow individuals to obtain their optimal health. By this approach, access to unreached communities can be improved and resolved.