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Oral health is often viewed in isolation, yet its impact extends far beyond the mouth. Oral health can hurt the heart.Emerging research has established a concerning link between oral health and heart issues. Gum disease, for example, can trigger cardiovascular problems and increase the risk of having a heart attack. Tooth decay and other oral infections in childhood can contribute to atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) in adulthood.

The prevalence of early childhood caries in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities is three times higher than for white children. Black and AI/AN women are 2.9 and 2.5 times more likely, respectively, to die from pregnancy-related causes than non-Hispanic white women. There is growing evidence that individuals who use electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are at a higher risk for dental caries. These are just a few key findings from three of the most popular CareQuest Institute research reports published in 2023.

Jennifer Harris, the senior health policy advocate at Alabama Arise, says no day is the same at her job. “You may have someone that’s working over here to reduce tooth decay in school-age children, and then you may have someone in another part of the state that is looking at the accessibility for someone who’s disabled to be seen by a provider,” Harris says. “What I’m doing is creating a network where we can bring all our work together to really make strides in access when it comes to oral health.”