HHS Launches Oral Health Initiative FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: OPHS Press Office Dr. Howard Koh, assistant secretary
for health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, today
announced an initiative to expand oral health services,
education and research in America. Through the initiative, the
department is increasing support for and expanding its emphasis
on access to oral health care and the effective delivery of
services to underserved populations. Speaking at the National
Oral Health Conference in St. Louis, Dr. Koh told oral health
professionals that eight HHS agencies had collaborated to launch
initiatives and spread public awareness under the message Oral
Health Is Integral to Overall Health. “In the U.S., 53 million
children and adults have untreated tooth decay in their
permanent teeth,” said Dr. Koh. “There is a silent epidemic of
dental and oral health diseases that burden millions of children
and adults across the states. With this initiative, we plan to
improve oral health by removing ba