Primary oral health care in black Americans: an assessment of current status and future needs.

To improve health for all in the United States by the year 2000, dental health needs must be considered a component of total health and primary care. The failure to address dental needs has reached a crisis level, particularly in the black and underserved communities throughout the nation. Data from several nationwide studies have shown that oral disease is greater in black Americans than their white counterparts. More severe periodontal disease patterns, untreated dental decay, and earlier tooth loss were observed. Key minority subgroups received less preventive care.