Introduction:
Oral health is a crucial aspect of hygiene, as the mouth serves as the first point of contact for any food or pathogens that enter the body. Upholding good oral health prevents bacterial accumulation, which is not limited to dental caries and gum diseases but also systemic issues like cardiovascular or respiratory illnesses.
The study examines how oral health inequality reflects social inequality in the United States (US), where individuals with poor oral health are typically associated with being low-income, uninsured, racial/ethnic minorities, or immigrants. These socioeconomic factors hinder the ability of residents to access quality dental care, which leads to higher rates of untreated dental disease.
Discussion:
The paper conducted a literature review that synthesizes various existing studies encompassing oral health disparities worldwide. Through examining public health data and oral health reports around disadvantaged groups, the paper correlates factors such as cost, inaccessible dental clinics, and transportation barriers to contribute heavily to oral health inequalities. Income disparity in dental visits is prominent, with around 60% of high-income individuals having a dental visit in the past year, compared to less than 30% of low-income patients. Furthermore, a 2009 Health Center Patient Survey that functions as a safety-net clinic to provide dental services to underdeveloped communities found that one in seven people reported that their most recent dental visit was at least five years prior. Considering that the scope of analysis was limited to one small particular region, the problem is concerning considering the vast number of people residing in less developed and developing countries that may not have access to proper hygienic checkups or treatments. The problem stretches past people neglecting to have dental care, where individuals attempt to seek any help available. In a 2010 study, clinical data from 25 Oregon hospitals and 51 emergency department dental visitors found that many patients use emergency departments to address dental problems and support because they cannot access regular dental care. However, emergency departments manage pain and infection rather than providing definitive dental treatment, meaning that they address immediate symptoms but not the underlying oral health problems affected by external factors. Consequently, patients may be able to leave with temporary relief through pain medication or antibiotics, but may not be able to obtain proper follow-up care from a dentist who can treat their specific needs.
Conclusion:
Inequality in oral health is not simply the result of individual choices, but rather the external factors and living situation that limit their ability to receive the care they need. Factors such as income, insurance coverage, immigration status, and residing in rural areas can all influence whether patients can receive preventive dental care. When routine dental care is inaccessible, many patients do not have a choice but to seek help, often delaying their treatment until the pain becomes too severe to treat. In sum, the authors emphasize the need to improve oral health equity by expanding affordable dental coverage and safety-net clinics to support marginalized communities.
