Session: Exploring the Structural and Social Determinants of Oral Health (Society for Social Work and Research 28th Annual Conference - Recentering & Democratizing Knowledge: The Next 30 Years of Social Work Science)

Oral health diseases impact almost everyone, yet the burden of oral health diseases and lack of service utilization are disproportionately experienced. Various structural and social determinants of health have been identified as to why these inequities persist. Those who are economically oppressed, uninsured, members racialized groups, immigrants, and/or those who reside in rural areas are more likely to have poor oral health. Poor oral can increase the risk for long-term chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, lost workdays, reduced employability, and preventable dental-related hospital visits. This symposium brings together three papers that focus on various structural and social determinants of oral health.

The first study, Exploring the Causal Effects of Food Insecurity on Oral Health Outcomes of Adults in the United States, discusses the results from a quasi-experimental study that explored the effects of food insecurity on clinical and utilization-based oral health outcomes. Poor oral health and food insecurity are markers of health vulnerability and social inequity, yet the relationship between the two is underexplored. Oral diseases are impacted by diet and nutrition, as well as material hardship. Given this, food insecurity may be a potential risk factor for adverse oral health outcomes worth further exploration.

The second study, Perspectives from Community Members: HPV and COVID-19 Vaccines in the Dental Office, discusses the results of a survey participants (N=600) in the Philadelphia area about their understanding of the role that dental professionals could play in the provision of preventative health care. There is little evidence regarding patients’ acceptance of dental providers to administer COVID-19 and HPV vaccinations. Given increasing dialogue about creating access to patients for preventative care outside the clinic, dental providers may be a possible solution.

The third paper, Culturally Attuned Oral Health Care for Latinx Patients, discusses the results of a survey evaluating the effectiveness of culturally attuned care of dental providers in a dental education setting inclusive of social work professionals. Findings underscore the importance of integrating skills of cultural attunement and cultural humility into pre-doctoral dental and dental hygiene education and continuing education for practicing oral healthcare providers. Social workers are uniquely positioned to provide education to oral health trainees and providers on culturally attuned care practices, as well as assess and provide feedback for continued growth.

Together the papers presented in this symposium explore the structural and social determinants of oral health and their impact on access and utilization of oral health care, as well as oral health outcomes. This symposium will highlight how the structural and social determinants of oral health require social work intervention, skill, and involvement. Future areas for research, practice, and policy change to mitigate oral health inequities will be discussed.