Glickman lends expertise to national oral health report

May 13th, 2019

Dr. Gerald Glickman

Every 20 years, the U.S. surgeon general issues a report on oral health in America. That deep-dive look at numerous, all-encompassing aspects of the state of the nation’s dental health care requires that experts weigh in.

Dr. Gerald Glickman, professor of endodontics, was recently asked to contribute to the 2020 update.

“My particular assignment involves specialty programs and their integration into total health, Commission on Dental Accreditation issues and person-centered care,” he says.

“Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General,” last published in July 2000, highlighted critical aspects of oral health. Major findings included how overall health is affected by oral disease, oral health care disparities in the U.S., the effects of a lack of dental insurance, the impact of lifestyle choices — diet, tobacco and alcohol use — long-term positive effects of water fluoridation, detection of related health problems (diabetes, heart disease, birth defects), emerging techniques, preventive care, and more.

Topics targeted to be further addressed and implemented included improving oral health through accelerating and applying science-based evidence, building better health infrastructure, changing perceptions, and removing barriers to access, among others.

The report is commissioned by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of the Surgeon General, the National Institutes of Health, and the U.S. Public Health Service’s Oral Health Coordinating Committee.

— Kathleen Green Pothier