Social determinants of oral health and disease in U.S. men

Oral diseases are among the most prevalent chronic diseases in the United States (U.S.), disproportionately affect males, and exhibit profound disparities among socioeconomic and ethnic groups. The potentially modifiable proximal risk factors for these diseases are relatively small in number though difficult to modify at the individual level, and largely are the same as those associated with increased risk for the major chronic diseases affecting Americans. This paper gives a brief overview of disparities in oral health in the U.S., presents a conceptual model of social determinants involved in one of the most common oral diseases, and discusses the implications of a social determinant perspective for oral health policy and research.