This National Health Priority has been archived.

We have archived AAPA’s Oral Health Toolkit, Veterans Health Toolkit, and the COVID-19 Resource Center. These collections are no longer updated by AAPA and may contain outdated information.

Oral Health Initiative

Overview

Overview

What is the Oral Health Initiative?

Based on patient needs and the ability of the PA profession to make a difference in eradicating dental disease, AAPA, PAs for Oral Health, and the nccPA Health Foundation have joined to be part of a national oral health initiative. The goal of this initiative is to increase PA awareness and knowledge of oral health and potential ways to incorporate oral health into PA practice.

Why is oral health important?

Oral health is a vital component of preventive medicine and essential to general health and quality of life across the life span. But it’s often taken for granted. Taking the time to address oral health and deliver patient education can have a long-lasting impact on your patient’s health and well-being.

Additional Resources

Additional Resources

Articles
Guidelines and Recommendations
Practice Resources
Patient Resources

Patient education is important not only in the examination room, but in the community as well. Oral heath literacy remains low, especially in vulnerable populations such as those with lower levels of educations, racial and ethnic minorities and individuals with a lower socioeconomic status.

One way to improve oral health knowledge is through community service programs. Students, faculty and practicing PAs can provide a collective impact and help fight oral disease but reaching out to the community and educating those at risk.

For more information on community service activities or lectures contact Denise Rizzolo at [email protected].

Special Interest Groups, Specialty Groups, Caucuses
Websites