Sponsored By: Mars Wrigley and the Oral Health Alliance

The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines (DGA) identified dental caries as a major diet-related chronic disease of public health concern. The Healthy People 2030 Objectives highlighted the importance of preventive oral health practices across the life span. Almost half of children have treated or untreated dental caries and 13 percent have untreated dental caries. In seniors, 68 percent have gum disease and 19 percent untreated tooth decay. Poor oral health can lead to systemic chronic diseases and impede chewing of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other nutrient-rich foods. Several factors, including lack of insurance and economic inequities, can limit access to dental services, which raises the value of preventive oral health practices. Session attendees will gain an understanding of factors linking poor oral health to insufficient diets and chronic disease and will learn the importance of preventive oral health practices ─ brush, floss, chew, drink fluoridated water, and limit calories from added sugars ─ beginning in pregnancy and continuing through childhood, adulthood, and aging, for long-term health.

Speakers
 

Steffany Chamut, DDS - Instructor in Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Teresa Marshall, PhD, RDN, FAND - Professor, Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa

Athena Papas, PhD, DMD - Distinguished Professor of Diagnostic Sciences and the Erling Johansen Professor of Dental Research, Johansen Professor of Dental Research, Tufts University School of Medicine

Nadine Tassabehji, PhD, RDN, LDN - Assistant Professor, Department of Comprehensive Care, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine 

Learning Objectives

1. Identify nutritional and systemic health outcomes of poor oral health
2. Describe dietary factors increasing risk of oral and systemic disease
3. Communicate how oral health practices help individuals meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the population meeting Healthy People 2030 objectives