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ARIZONANS INCREASINGLY UNDERSTAND WHOLE-BODY HEALTH INCLUDES ORAL, MENTAL HEALTH MICHAEL JONES, DELTA DENTAL OF ARIZONA In recent years, the term “whole-person health” has garnered more and more attention. According to the 2024 Oral Health and Wellness Report, a statewide survey that studies the ways in which individuals think about health and approach their own care, it is clear that this patient-centered approach to health care that considers a person’s entire well-being is more than a passing wellness fad or buzzword. This year’s findings highlight Arizonans’ increasing understanding about the direct connection between oral health and overall health, notably including mental health at higher rates than ever reported. According to the report, Arizonans are increasingly familiar with the connection between oral health and conditions like heart disease (50%), respiratory illness (32%), diabetes (29%) and high blood pressure (28%) at higher rates than in years prior. In addition, Gen Z and Millennials are more likely than Gen X and Boomer generations to know of the connection oral health has to certain conditions like respiratory health, diabetes and high blood pressure. It also shows that three in four adults, on average, say oral health is closely related to mental health. As it relates to generational data, 71% of Gen X and Boomers are making the connection, while 76% of Gen Z and 82% of Millennials feel strongly there is a direct relationship between the two. Diving deeper into the findings, 23% of all respondents reported direct feelings of anxiety as a result of their oral health; 21% reported embarrassment over their appearance; 20% lost sleep over oral health; and 19% experienced direct feelings of sadness related to oral health. Additional findings: • Only about three-fifths (59%) of Arizonans replace their toothbrush every three months or more often, as recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines. This is down from 70% in 2023. •
Financial issues are reported as the No. 1 barrier to care. Half of Arizonans who faced such a barrier cited out-of-pocket costs, while 43% were concerned by not having dental insurance.
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This year, Boomers were more likely than Gen Z and Millennials not to go to a preventive visit simply because they thought their oral health was good enough (15% vs. 11%).
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The top items wanted in dental insurance across all generations are two free preventative cleanings annually, oral surgery coverage and extra cleanings for high-risk individuals
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An estimated 30% of Arizonans are now somewhat familiar with teledentisty, with Gen Z (44%) more familiar than Gen X and Boomers (20%)
JEWISHAZ.COM
Taking action to protect oral health is taking action to protect one’s overall health, including mental health. This report shows that engaging the community around whole person health, supporting innovative programs and providing equitable access to care is more important than ever. Delta Dental of Arizona has made critical strides in whole-person health initiatives and equitable access to care. In 2023 alone, Delta Denta of Arizona donated $2.1 million to improve health and wellness in Arizona, supporting 252,094 Arizonans across all 15 counties in receiving oral health education and/or services, enabling 33,081 Arizonans to receive food insecurity and nutrition education programs. Delta Dental of Arizona also kicked off 2024 by awarding grants to 39 nonprofit organizations that work with underserved populations of all ages. A total of $793,149 funds were awarded to support projects and services promoting good oral health practices and increasing access to dental care among underserved children, pregnant women, seniors and adults, as well as nutritional access programs such as food banks, after-school and weekend food programs for children, and senior delivery programs. Some of the programs across Arizona, by way of example, include: • Advance Community’s Arizona Oral Health Education Program, which educates children in Title 1 schools and various day care centers across the Valley about the importance of proper daily hygiene practices, proper brushing/flossing techniques and the need for routine dental visits. The program is available in both English and Spanish as needed. Advance provides each participant with a Smile Bag that contains an age-appropriate toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, as well as referrals to dental providers who offer dental care at reduced/no cost. •
Tooth BUDDS, which is a group of affiliated dental practice hygienists who serve the children of Graham and Greenlee counties by providing dental screenings, dental cleanings, sealants, fluoride varnish, Silver Diamine Fluoride applications at no cost at the school location.
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El Rio Health Center’s Pediatric Dental Integration Program expands direct dental screening, varnish and oral health education during children’s medical well visits by embedding dental hygiene teams in five El Rio Health clinic locations throughout Tucson.
It is critical that health and wellness organizations continue to work to collectively create programs and initiatives that support access to whole-body health for all Arizonans. We are all in this together. Michael Jones is president and CEO of Delta Dental of Arizona, a health and wellness company providing affordable dental and vision benefits to individuals, families and businesses throughout the state. He also serves as president and chairman of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation.
JEWISH NEWS
AUGUST 23, 2024
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