ORAL HEALTH DISPARITIES: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE
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Keywords
Oral Health Disparities, Access to Dental Care, Socioeconomic Factors, Geographic Accessibility, Dental Insurance, Health Equity, Community Health Programs, Policy Interventions
Abstract
This article presents a critical review of oral health disparities, with a particular focus on the access to dental care across different populations. Despite advancements in dental medicine, significant gaps persist in oral health outcomes and access to services, influenced by a complex interplay of socioeconomic, geographic, and systemic factors. This review synthesizes current research on the barriers to dental care, including financial constraints, lack of insurance coverage, geographic inaccessibility, and cultural and linguistic challenges. It also examines the broader impacts of these disparities on physical and psychological health, as well as their economic implications. Through an analysis of various strategies and interventions aimed at improving access to dental care, this article highlights the need for comprehensive policy reforms, community engagement, and technological innovations to address these disparities. The discussion emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in bridging the oral health gap and calls for concerted efforts from healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders.
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AL Ghofaily, Sakhar Mohammed
Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia,
AL Harbi, Abdullah Awadh
Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia,
AL Duhayan, Sulaiman Helal
Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia,
AL Oraymah, Mohammed Fahad
Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia,
AL Harbi, Yasser Ghallab
Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia,
AL Aloula, Ali Suliman
Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs,
AL Azmiy, Barakat Shumilan
Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs,