Inequalities in health and oral health in the UK.

UNLABELLED: New legislation is increasingly recognizing that addressing diversity is a crucial issue, in order that the health and social service needs of the whole population can be better met by equitable access, experience, and outcome. This paper aims to: describe the evolution of the UK inequalities agenda together with some of the governmental responses; consider aspects of oral and general health in this context; and reflect on the implications for general dental practice. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Practitioners should be aware of the patient's background--social, physical and mental--as these can all impact on that person's oral and general health status, as well as his/her norms and values. This in turn can influence the capacity of that patient to accept specific care regimes and advice and hence has key implications for treatment and care.