Dental care is one of the nation’s greatest unmet health needs. In particular, communities of color have much higher rates of tooth decay and tooth loss and fewer dental visits and preventive treatments than white populations. Economic hardship also negatively affects access to dental care for many people of color.² Although more research is needed to understand and address the factors that contribute to dental health disparities, significant evidence shows that communities of color face real problems and indicates that the nation’s dental care delivery system is failing to adequately support the oral health of all Americans.