Date Published:

2023 Nov 07

Abstract:

Oral health is a vital component of overall health. In a pair of Recommendation Statements published by JAMA on November 7, 2023, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) announced that current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for oral health conditions and providing preventive interventions by primary care clinicians for children aged 5 to 17 years and in adults. The current state of scientific knowledge is reflected by the USPSTF’s I statements (“insufficient evidence” to support the recommendation) in each Recommendation Statement. This demonstrates the need for further research to better understand the effect of these services on health outcomes. The lack of data should not unduly influence primary care clinicians to stop considering oral health during routine medical examinations or checkups.