Unmet Oral Health Needs and Barriers to Dental Care Utilization  Among Marginalized Youth

Vaishampayan, Pranav

Unmet Oral Health Needs and Barriers to Dental Care Utilization Among Marginalized Youth

Files

Primary Vaishampayan_Pranav_MSc_2025_thesis.pdf (986.34 KB)

Date

2025-11-14

Authors

Vaishampayan, Pranav

Abstract

Oral health is integral to overall well-being, yet marginalized youth experience disproportionate barriers to accessing dental care, contributing to unmet oral health needs and poorer outcomes. This thesis examined oral health inequities among marginalized youth through two studies. First, a scoping review was conducted to synthesize evidence on unmet oral health needs and barriers to care. Findings identified persistent unmet needs and financial, structural, and psychosocial barriers that limited access to dental services. The second was an exploratory cross-sectional study that assessed the association between dental anxiety and self-reported oral health among youth affiliated with Youth Opportunities Unlimited. Although no statistically significant association was observed, the direction of estimates was consistent with prior research, suggesting the plausibility of an underlying association. Future research should further examine how systemic, financial, and psychosocial barriers interact to shape oral health outcomes, and inform interventions to enhance oral health awareness and improve access to dental care among marginalized youth.

Summary for Lay Audience

Oral health plays a pivotal role in overall well-being, especially in youth, who undergo substantial physical, psychological, and social development. However, marginalized youth such as those experiencing homelessness, immigrants, individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups, Indigenous peoples, those with low socioeconomic status, and sexual minorities often experience poor oral health outcomes due to limited access to dental care. The objective of this thesis was to examine the unmet oral health needs of this population and identify the barriers that restrict their access to oral health services. The first study reviewed existing research on unmet oral health needs and barriers to dental care among marginalized youth. A total of seven studies were identified and analyzed, highlighting a complex interplay of financial, structural, and psychosocial barriers. Factors such as high treatment costs, lack of dental insurance, limited transportation, long wait times, negative experiences with dental professionals, and discrimination frequently restricted access to care. These findings demonstrate the need for more comprehensive and representative research to better understand oral health inequities affecting marginalized youth. Future efforts by oral health advocates should focus on ensuring that marginalized youth populations can both access and benefit from oral health care services. The second study investigated whether dental anxiety, fear or apprehension related to dental visits, was associated with how youth perceive their oral health. Participants were recruited from Youth Opportunities Unlimited, an organization supporting the personal and professional development of youth. Although no statistically significant association was found, the direction of results was consistent with previous studies, suggesting that fear and anxiety may play a role in how youth perceive their oral health. Overall, the findings indicate that oral health inequities among marginalized youth arise from the combined effects of financial, structural, and psychosocial factors. They underscore the importance of equity-oriented strategies in research, policy, and practice to reduce oral health disparities and promote better outcomes among marginalized youth.