Inequalities in health and oral health in the UK.
New legislation is increasingly recognizing that addressing diversity is a crucial issue, in order that the health and social service needs of the whole population can be better met by equitable access, experience, and outcome. This paper aims to: describe the evolution of the UK inequalities agenda together with some of the governmental responses; consider aspects of oral and general health in this context; and reflect on the implications for general dental practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Practitioners should be aware of the patient's background--social, physical and mental--as these can all impact on that person's oral and general health status, as well as his/her norms and values. This in turn can influence the capacity of that patient to accept specific care regimes and advice and hence has key implications for treatment and care.
Godson
Jenny H
JH
Leeds Dental Institute, UK.
Williams
Sonia A
SA
D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D009313:National Health Programs; D009909:Oral Health; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000453:epidemiology; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D035862:Vulnerable Populations