The impact of demographic, economic and social trends on oral health care.

Concurrent with the new technologies in oral disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are the changing global perspectives on health which impact significantly on who will actually receive the new technologies and services. Issues of access to care, the rapidly changing social, political, and economic environments and the growing recognition of the disparities and barriers to oral health are stimulating new strategies for positive change and enhancement. Governments, in partnership with professional associations, private sector concerns and consumer interests in Canada and the United States, have recently reviewed current oral health status and identified needs and inequities. A few bold new multisectoral initiatives have evolved but not enough to address all the trends. The challenges not adequately addressed by current policies and practices have been identified. Goals for oral health have been established both nationally and internationally to address the trends and the challenges. Critical areas for taking action have been also been identified and include research in epidemiology, behavioural and social sciences, health services, and evaluation. This type of research considers the social and environmental context of where and how oral services are provided. Ultimately this is the kind of research that can radically change the role of the dental hygienist in the delivery of oral health care.