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Published on: December 31, 2017
Improving children's oral health: an interdisciplinary research framework
P S Casamassimo1, J Y Lee2, M L Marazita3
1Division of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus, OH, USA Department of Dentistry, Columbus Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
Insights
Oral health disparities in young children are widening in the US, despite scientific advances. Concerted actions and policies addressing social determinants are crucial for improving pediatric oral health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oral Health Research
- Translational Science
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Recent evidence indicates a divergence in oral health trends, with young children in the US experiencing worsening disparities compared to other age groups.
- Despite scientific progress in genomics, behavioral, and social sciences, translating these advances into improved pediatric oral health outcomes has been challenging.
- Oral health issues in children are significantly influenced by social determinants, complicating the implementation of evidence-based interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize proceedings from a symposium on the interdisciplinary continuum of pediatric oral health.
- To showcase recent research contributions across the pediatric oral health spectrum.
- To identify future research priorities and necessary intersectoral collaborations.
Main Methods:
- The article synthesizes discussions and presentations from the 43rd annual meeting of the American Association for Dental Research.
- It reviews contributions across various disciplines relevant to pediatric oral health.
- The focus is on challenges and opportunities in translating scientific findings into public health action.
Main Results:
- The symposium highlighted the complex interplay of factors affecting pediatric oral health.
- Advances in research provide a stronger evidence base for interventions.
- Significant challenges remain in bridging the gap between scientific discovery and practical application.
Conclusions:
- Accelerating the translation and implementation of research findings is essential for improving pediatric oral health.
- Policies addressing upstream social determinants of oral health are imperative.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration and future research are needed to overcome existing disparities.
Abstract:
Despite the concerted efforts of research and professional and advocacy stakeholders, recent evidence suggests that improvements in the oral health of young children in the United States has not followed the prevailing trend of oral health improvement in other age groups. In fact, oral health disparities in the youngest children may be widening, yet efforts to translate advances in science and technology into meaningful improvements in populations' health have had limited success. Nevertheless, the great strides in genomics, biological, behavioral, social, and health services research in the past decade have strengthened the evidence base available to support initiatives and translational efforts. Concerted actions to accelerate this translation and implementation process are warranted; at the same time, policies that can help tackle the upstream determinants of oral health disparities are imperative. This article summarizes the proceedings from the symposium on the interdisciplinary continuum of pediatric oral health that was held during the 43rd annual meeting of the American Association for Dental Research, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. This report showcases the latest contributions across the interdisciplinary continuum of pediatric oral health research and provides insights into future research priorities and necessary intersectoral synergies. Issues are discussed as related to the overwhelming dominance of social determinants on oral disease and the difficulty of translating science into action.
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