Section 2B: Oral Health Across the Lifespan: Adolescence Infographic (Text Alternative)

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Adolescence has the greatest potential for improving oral health into adulthood, but it is perhaps the least understood of all age groups. The adolescent life stage has been largely neglected by oral health researchers. Policy, education, and research opportunities should be developed to address the unique oral health challenges of this group.

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About 1/3 of adolescents in the U.S. do not access preventive dental care.

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More than half of all adolescents will experience dental caries; a rate that hasn’t changed much in the past 20 years.

Adolescence is the best time for vaccination against HPV. Most oropharyngeal cancers in the United States (70%) are associated with HPV infection.

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In 2018, HPV vaccination coverage was 51 percent for adolescents across the United States.

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A circular graphic depicting the adolescent statistics.