Indigenous oral health equity: The path forward.

Abstract

Objective: This narrative review explores current research on Indigenous oral health equity (OHE) and proposes a framework and strategies to guide registered dental hygienists in addressing OHE and health disparities experienced by Indigenous Peoples.

Methods: An electronic literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar. Full-text, peer-reviewed articles, written in English, and published in Canada within the last 10 years were selected for the review. The relevant grey literature was also included to ensure Indigenous perspectives relating to oral health inequity in Canada were considered and to increase the utility of the proposed strategies. Included articles were analyzed for themes.

Results: Ten articles and 6 publications from the grey literature met the inclusion criteria.

Discussion: The framework has 4 elements: policy driven changes to dental hygiene regulation, relationship building and allyship, workforce development, and research and education. Strategies within the framework can assist dental hygienists in adapting their approaches to oral health care delivery with Indigenous Peoples and promote OHE by providing inclusive and culturally safer care.

Conclusion: Indigenous people throughout Canada have the right to safe oral health care, and dental hygienists can use this framework and these recommendations to promote Indigenous OHE.