AAPHD@UCLA

  www.aaphd.org
 

Founded in 1937, the American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD) provides a focus for meeting the challenge to improve oral health. AAPHD membership is open to all individuals concerned with improving the oral health of the public.

 

Its broad base of membership provides a fertile environment and numerous opportunities for the exchange of ideas and experiences. During the past decade, many enthusiastic persons have joined AAPHD, increasing its influence and effectiveness. Improvements in the oral health of the U.S. population have been much heralded in recent years. However, these gains have eluded many of the most vulnerable people - those for whom public health personnel often have special concern - in the U.S. and other countries. For such individuals, living with oral pain and disfigurement means a lack of health that interferes with the opportunity to learn and obtain meaningful employment.

 

These circumstances challenge us to improve total health for all citizens through the development and support of effective programs of oral health promotion and disease prevention. To meet the challenge of improved oral health for all, the AAPHD is committed to:

 

o Promotion of effective efforts in disease prevention, health promotion and service delivery

 

o Education of the public, health professionals and decision-makers regarding the importance of oral health to total well-being; and

 

o Expansion of the knowledge base of dental public health and fostering competency in its practice.