The Status of Oral Health in America
It may come as no surprise, but the Academy for Dental Assistants is a big advocate of oral health. Our mission is to prepare students for a career in dental assistance – an entry-level position in the dental industry with great projections for the future and an important role in oral healthcare. We prepare students for a career path with great pay, great promotional prospects, as well as a great opportunity to benefit the world as an individual.
One more great reason to join the field of dentistry as an assistant is the recognition that oral health is receiving in the medical industry. Dentistry has long been thought of as a luxury or an otherwise secondary part of healthcare, to the point that dental insurance is not required for adults in America and is often overlooked until problems arise. But, as America sets its sights on a higher quality of living for all, dentistry and oral health is being seen in a new light.
People everywhere are recognizing the necessity of healthy teeth, gums, tongue, and all in relation to an individual’s overall health. We all learned as kids to care for our teeth and gums, and now we are learning as adults that this care is more essential than ever before. Governing medical authorities and international health organizations have begun a worldwide campaign to promote oral health. The general consensus is that oral health is important to overall well-being and quality of life. Not only America but the whole world is giving more credit to dentistry as we uncover the importance of oral hygiene.
In 2000, the Surgeon General released a report on Oral Health in America. The overall assumption of the report is that oral systemic health, meaning oral health as it relates to other parts of the body, is a vital concept in maintaining an individual’s general health. The report outlines the state of oral health in America and concludes with a call to action for “a National Oral Health Plan to improve quality of life and eliminate health disparities.” The plan included changing public perception and awareness of oral health, making advancements in oral health science, and enhancing the health sector to meet the demands of oral health.
Since then, leading entities in the dental industry have brought that plan to life with global oral health awareness campaigns, humanitarian efforts to provide dentalcare to those in need, and scientific studies to further reveal the importance of oral systemic health. The Journal of the American Dental Association has published many articles exploring oral hygiene as a factor in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other bodily ailments. Other reports associate improper oral hygiene with pneumonia and pregnancy complications.
International awareness of the need for affordable, accessible oral healthcare has spread even further since the creation of World Oral Health Day by the FDI World Dental Federation in 2013 (originally in 2007). World Oral Health Day is held on March 20th every year to, as the website proclaims, “raise awareness of the importance of good oral health and its significance in safeguarding general health and well-being.” The global campaign has reached 140 countries and helped generate world-wide interest in oral health among governments, businesses, non-profits, and individuals.
The growing interest and acclaim for oral health has caused a boom in the dental industry, supplying the world with exciting new technologies and advancements in the field. 3D scanning, imaging, and printing technologies have revolutionized dental treatment, allowing dentists to map patient’s teeth more accurately and create dental appliances with greater ease, albeit some added technical requirements. Dental robotics and the use of lasers for teeth whitening, cavity removal, and the treatment of gum disease are also recent innovations that are contributing to better oral healthcare for all.
With the entire world rising to meet the growing demands of oral healthcare, the dental industry has expanded, and with an expanded industry comes an increased need for practitioners. More dentists and orthodontists will be seeing more patients, which means certified dental assistants are going to be in high demand for the foreseeable future. This is your golden opportunity to enter and enjoy a role assisting in a professional setting.
The Academy for Dental Assistants does its part by fulfilling the industry’s need for knowledgeable and experienced workers. We provide affordable and reliable technical training and certification for dental assistants so you can join the Oral Health Revolution and find your place as a career-minded individual. In as little as 12 weeks, you can become a dental assistant and begin making a difference by contributing to people’s overall quality of life. A benevolent professional role, great opportunities to grow with the industry, and recognition… what more could you ask for in a career?