b'SCIENCE & INNOVATIONOral Health in America report publishedOne of the main takeaways of the report is that oral and medical conditions often share common risk factors, and just as medical conditions and their treatments can influence oral health, oral conditions and their treatments can affect other health conditions. An interdisciplinary approach to patient care is encouraged. Similar to the 2000 report, the authors provided a framework for action and recommendations on how to improve oral health in the United States. Specifically, the report suggests the following components: Develop a National Oral Health Plan to improve quality of life and to eliminate health disparities. Change perceptions regarding oral health and disease so that oral health becomes an accepted component of general health. Build an effective health infrastructure The 2000 Oral Health in America: A Report of thethat meets the oral health needs of all Americans and integrates oral health Surgeon General highlighted the national importanceeffectively into overall health.of oral health and its relationship to overall health. In Remove known barriers between people collaboration with the Surgeon General, the Nationaland oral health services.Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) Use public-private partnerships to improve the oral health of those who still suffer has published a follow up report, Oral Health indisproportionately from oral diseases America: Advances and Challenges, which providesThe full report, as well as summary reports a comprehensive and thorough examination of theand fact sheets, can be found here: www.nidcr.nih.gov/oralhealthinamericaresearch and policy changes over the past 20 years.The report specifically identifies that oral health is inextricably linked to overall health, and it underscores the ways in which a variety of health and human concerns are related. AAP Periospectives| 38'