Atlanta-based Benevis released a new report that emphasizes the importance of providing access to dental care for all adolescents throughout the U.S.
More than 50% of adolescents have experienced tooth decay in their permanent teeth, which can negatively impact the ability to eat and speak, according to a March 14 news release from Benevis.
Social, economic and geographical barriers can also have a direct link to poor oral health outcomes. Expanding equitable access to oral healthcare is crucial to support dental disparities across those barriers.
"Access to quality dental care should be easy, especially when it's essential; however, millions of adolescents face barriers to treatment or lack of dental hygiene resources and education for healthy smiles," said Bryan Carey, CEO of Benevis. "As adolescents move closer to adulthood or further away from the support of their parents' dental insurance coverage, establishing strong oral health habits that they can maintain over a lifetime becomes even more important."