New Initiatives for Advocacy in National Maternal and Child Oral Health

Abstract

Despite the serious resultant health, social, and economic consequences for the public and the nation, the United States does not appear to have a proactive comprehensive oral health policy at this time. Consideration should therefore be given to launching a national oral health campaign. While some effort needs to be devoted to maintaining existing gains, serious attention must be given to the creation of national as well as local constituencies. Without such support systems, it is very difficult to achieve major gains. Nationally, consideration should be given to working on a comprehensive oral health act. The principal strategy should be one of arguing the beneficial effects such an act could have on the current major national economic and political concerns.