26 - ASTDD Policy Statement Review: Social Determinants of Health in Dental Public Health

Abstract: US researchers, clinicians, and policy makers recognize that social determinants of health (SDoH), the environment where individuals live, learn, work, and play, can significantly impact health outcomes, including oral health outcomes. Inequities in oral health status, such as higher cases of adverse oral health outcomes, are driven by SDoH.

Objectives: The American Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors supported the development of a policy statement to provide dental directors with tools to address SDoH.

Methods: We reviewed and summarized SDoH definitions, statements, and domains across multiple disciplines. Evidence informed practice recommendations were provided to support approaches that address SDoH at the policy level and call attention to available toolkits to addressing SDoH.

Results: Of the thirty-four sources reviewed, the majority (thirty) included neighborhood and environment into their definition of SDoH. We outline two levels at which SDoH can be addressed at - the policy level and clinical level. Although we did not identify any dental-specific toolkits, we identified five comprehensive toolkits for addressing SDoH that can be adapted for the oral health setting.

Conclusions: Many organizations have agreed on domains that are important to highlight when defining SDoH. In dentistry, there is no specific toolkit to walk dental clinicians through how to recognize and address SDoH. As next steps, state oral health programs can work with their state dental associations and other professional groups to adapt and implement a SDoH toolkit for oral health providers to utilize in dental settings.

Source of Funding: None