Cultural, economic, historical, political, and social determinants of oral health

The article focuses on describing the organic, social, and cultural impact of oral hygiene, considering the mouth as an integral part of the body. Anthropological, physiological, and psychological phenomena are related to its care and attention. In turn, these dimensions spawn from a roster of cultural, economic, historical, political, and social determinants, which derive not only from personal context, but also from the perception that people have of themselves with regards to preventing and treating oral conditions. Does oral health depend essentially on the individual o do social determinants bear an effect? The article defines social determinants as “the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including the health system. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels.” (World Health Organization)