Literature and concept review: issues in maternal and child oral health.

This report has outlined several complex and interrelated issues associated with the oral health of the maternal and child population in the United States. As recent reports have suggested to begin to positively address these issues, coordinated leadership is needed nationally to establish, promote, plan, and implement public policy for oral health programs stressing oral health promotion and oral disease prevention. Financial resources, allocation of personnel, and program priorities need to be committed to effective comprehensive oral health programs. Public policies and public health efforts at all levels--federal, state, and local in both the public and private sector--need to ensure that a full range of oral health promotion, disease prevention, and treatment services are available to all children and mothers.