 |
|
|
|
|
HHS Agencies Join American Association for Dental Research to
Promote Healthy People 2010 Oral Health Objectives
The federal government and the American Association for
Dental Research (AADR) have formed a strategic partnership to promote the
elimination of disparities in oral health, particularly those related to
tooth decay, periodontal (gum) disease, and oral cancer. In a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) signed on Tuesday, May 6, the AADR and the federal co-lead
agencies for the Healthy People 2010 focus area on Oral Health pledged to
support a major effort to achieve three critically
important objectives. These are to reduce tooth decay in children and
adolescents, reduce periodontal disease in adults, and increase the
percentage of adults whose oral cancer lesions are diagnosed at the
earliest stage.
“Partnerships such as this one are critical if we are to achieve the
objectives set forth by Healthy People 2010,” said Richard H.
Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, Surgeon General and Acting Assistant Secretary for
Health. “We look forward to working with AADR to achieve objectives related
to reducing oral disease, particularly in those groups that are at high
risk, such as people with low income. People in the public health community
are guided by the findings of both biomedical and behavioral research
studies to develop innovative and effective strategies for improving
people’s health.”
The Surgeon General noted that there has been a high level of interest in
promoting oral health since publication in May 2000 of Oral Health
in America: A Report of the Surgeon General. More recently, in April
2003, Dr. Carmona participated in the release of A National Call to
Action to Promote Oral Health, which cited the need to “build the
science base and accelerate science transfer” as a specific action area.
AADR is a nonprofit organization with more than 4,500 members whose mission
is to advance research and increase knowledge for improving oral
health, supporting and representing the research community, and facilitating
communication and application of research findings.
Under this partnership agreement, AADR will
- Provide information to its members regarding the Healthy People
2010 oral health objectives, particularly those related to tooth
decay in children, periodontal disease in adults, and oral cancer detection.
- Urge health researchers to focus on achieving the Healthy People
2010 objectives through related research and publishing their
research findings.
- Encourage AADR sections to organize symposia and annual sessions
related to the targeted Healthy People 2010 objectives.
- Participate in the National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health.
- Educate policy makers about the three targeted oral health
objectives.
“The AADR is committed to reducing oral health disparities and increasing
the oral health literacy of health professionals, policymakers, and the
public,” said AADR President Kenneth J. Anusavice, PhD, DMD. “This MOU
offers us an ideal opportunity to align our efforts with those of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. We plan to use our publications
and our communications network to promote awareness of the Healthy
People 2010 objectives and to encourage researchers to design their
studies with a view to reducing the burden of tooth decay, periodontal
diseases and oral cancer.”
In addition to Dr. Carmona, those signing the MOU with Dr. Anusavice were
Elizabeth Majestic, MS, MPH, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health
(Disease Prevention and Health Promotion), U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services; Charles W. Grim, DDS, MHSA, Interim Director, Indian Health
Service; Dennis Williams, PhD, MA, Deputy Administrator, Health Resources
and Services Administration; Janet Collins, PhD, MS, Deputy Director,
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Lawrence A. Tabak, DDS,
PhD, Director, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research,
National Institutes of Health.
For more information about federal initiatives on oral health and the
American Association for Dental Research, visit the following Web sites:
* Links to non-Federal organizations are
provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an
endorsement of any organization by CDC or the Federal Government, and none
should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual
organization Web pages found at this link.
Historical Document
Page last modified: October 24, 2004
Content source:
Division of Oral Health,
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion |
|
