Mental Health Issues Among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Dental Patients: A Critical Commentary
Marie C. Latortue
Department of General Practice and Dental Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center, 7500 Cambridge Street, Houston, Texas, 77054, USA.
Aditi Tomar *
Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Socioeconomically disadvantaged populations face multiple obstacles to accessing proper dental care, stretching far beyond financial limitations. These challenges lead to deep-seated mental health ramifications that often go unnoticed in clinical settings. In this commentary, we have explored the bidirectional relationship between oral health disparities and psychological well-being among these socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, revealing how oral health can entrap socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals in a cycle of shame, anxiety, and profound social isolation. In this commentary, the systemic barriers that not only hinder access to dental services but also exacerbate the mental health toll among these individuals, have been discussed. By advocating for trauma-informed approaches to dental care, we emphasize the need for sensitivity and awareness in treatment that acknowledges the past experiences of patients. The evidence is compelling, to effectively confront oral health inequities, we must recognize dental care as an essential pillar of mental health and overall well-being. This realization calls for innovative integrated care models and robust policy interventions aimed at dismantling the root causes of these health disparities, paving the way for a healthier future for all.
Keywords: Oral health disparities, mental health, socioeconomic status, dental anxiety, healthcare equity, well-being