Straight Teeth and Crooked Policies: Why Dental Care Matters for Anti-Poverty Efforts

Abstract

Oral health is largely treated as a luxury in the United States. This sentiment is echoed by our nation's current health care legislature, and evident by growing dental disparities despite advanced technology and increased Medicaid eligibility. I argue that dental care is, 1) an important determinant of overall health, 2) imperative for psychological well-being and, 3) a predictor of economic success. Furthermore, due to the widespread impact of dental care, society has a moral obligation to make dental care accessible to low-income individuals. As I conclude, I specify that due to the relative effectiveness of child health initiatives in recent years, attention and effort ought to focus specifically on improvements in adult dental health access.