Journal of public health dentistry最新文献

{"title":"Transforming Public Health Dentistry: Incorporating Social Mission Into Dental Education","authors":"Toyese Oyeyemi,&nbsp;Candace L. H. Owen,&nbsp;Sadiyah Anderson,&nbsp;Ed Salsberg","doi":"10.1111/jphd.70017","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jphd.70017","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This article examines how dental education and workforce development can be leveraged to advance health equity in oral health. Persistent disparities in access to dental care, particularly in underserved areas, highlight the urgency of transforming public health dentistry. The concept of social mission provides a framework to align institutional strategies with equitable outcomes.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This article synthesizes data on dental workforce composition, enrollment trends, and representative case examples from U.S. dental schools. It reviews how dental education institutions have implemented comprehensive programs to diversify the workforce and improve care delivery in socioeconomically deprived communities.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Despite incremental increases in enrollment of learners from underrepresented communities in healthcare, the dental workforce remains insufficiently diverse relative to population demographics. Schools/programs integrating admissions reforms, community-based training, socially accountable leadership, inclusive environments for faculty and students, and culturally responsive curricula demonstrated measurable outcomes, including increased provider representation in underserved areas and improved patient engagement. However, recent shifts in legislative policy have already been associated with threats to social mission areas in some programs, such as declining school diversity.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Transforming public health dentistry requires intentional strategies that embed social mission into the core functions of dental schools. Institutional leadership, innovative partnerships, and policy advocacy are critical to building a workforce capable of addressing structural inequities in oral health. Comprehensive, data-driven approaches can guide institutional progress toward more equitable dental care access and outcomes through the power of dental education reform.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16913,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health dentistry","volume":"86 S1","pages":"31-35"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147501308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combating Misinformation in the Digital Age: A Machine Learning Approach to Protect Community Water Fluoridation and Promote Oral Health Equity","authors":"Nilesh Torwane,&nbsp;Nithin Manchery,&nbsp;Ratilal Lalloo,&nbsp;Diep Ha,&nbsp;Loc Do","doi":"10.1111/jphd.70020","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jphd.70020","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Community water fluoridation (CWF) is an effective public health intervention for preventing dental caries. However, the widespread dissemination of misinformation on social media platforms, such as Twitter (now “X”), threatens public acceptance and may exacerbate oral health inequities. This study aimed to develop, evaluate, and deploy machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models to identify misinformation about CWF on Twitter and assess implications for public health communication and surveillance.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We collected 19,960 English-language tweets about CWF posted between 2014 and 2024 using keyword-based queries. Tweets originated globally; however, only US-based geotagged tweets were used for sociodemographic analysis because reliable demographic and oral health surveillance data (e.g., US Census, BRFSS, NHANES) were available for linkage. Veracity was determined using authoritative public health criteria from the CDC, WHO, and ADA, with a subset of tweets manually annotated as factually correct or misinformation. Six machine learning and deep learning models were trained and evaluated. Additional analyses included sentiment scoring, thematic content coding, and geospatial-demographic comparisons.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The Support Vector Classifier achieved the highest accuracy (91.6%). A hybrid BERT + XGBoost model (89.9% accuracy) was selected for deployment due to its strong performance and interpretability. Overall, 78.8% of tweets were classified as misinformation, with dominant themes including fluoride toxicity, distrust of government, and individual autonomy. Misinformation tweets were shorter, more engaging, and concentrated in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas with a high prevalence of misinformation tweets, where poverty rates and untreated dental caries were also greater. Sentiment analysis showed pro-CWF tweets were, on average, more positive.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>ML and DL models can effectively detect CWF-related misinformation on social media. Integrated with equity-focused communication strategies, these tools may help sustain public trust in CWF and reduce misinformation-related oral health inequities.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16913,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health dentistry","volume":"86 S1","pages":"20-30"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147501251","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Expanding Oral Health Access and Equity: The Impact of Federally Qualified Health Centers","authors":"Irene Hilton,&nbsp;Candace L. H. Owen,&nbsp;Rachel Johnston,&nbsp;Ji Hyung Choi,&nbsp;Carlos Ruiz,&nbsp;David Maxwell,&nbsp;Kaylon Campbell,&nbsp;Alonso Galvis,&nbsp;Lucia Covato,&nbsp;Lisa Bozzetti,&nbsp;Madison Jackson,&nbsp;Ramona English,&nbsp;Danielle Ford,&nbsp;Michelle Scholtz,&nbsp;Colleen Lampron","doi":"10.1111/jphd.70018","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jphd.70018","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>FQHCs have a 60-year history of creating equitable pathways for underserved communities. The objective of this article is to provide an understanding of the role of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in improving oral health equity and access to oral health care for underserved populations by highlighting innovative approaches to dental care delivery models, workforce and quality initiatives.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This article reviews national FQHC data, surveys of FQHC dental programs and findings from training and technical assistance programs aimed at supporting FQHCs in improving oral health equity and utilization of oral health services.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>FQHCs expand equitable access to oral health care through organizational characteristics that reduce barriers to care. Additionally, FQHCs further seek to increase oral health equity through innovation in oral health care delivery models, integration, quality, and workforce initiatives.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The FQHC model can improve oral health access and equity for underserved populations.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16913,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health dentistry","volume":"86 S1","pages":"48-53"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147501320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dental Public Health as Prime Catalyst for Advancing Solidarity and Accompaniment Within Dental Service-Learning and Community-Based Dental Education","authors":"Sarah E. Raskin,&nbsp;Carlos Smith","doi":"10.1111/jphd.70023","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jphd.70023","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This commentary examines US-based dental service learning (DSL), community-based dental education (CBDE), and dental public health residency education in light of the profession's ethical commitments, social contract, and reparative obligations. Drawing on the introduction into US-based global dental education of Brocher Declaration principles including mutual partnership, capacity strengthening, humility, accountability, sustainability, responsiveness, and respect for local values, the authors consider how frameworks of solidarity and accompaniment can transform dental learning in domestic community settings to produce truly justice-centered ethical clinicians in future dental public health, community dentistry, and dental private practice spheres.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We critically assessed the APHA, AAPHD, and ADA professional codes of ethics, which guide DSL, CBDE, and dental public health residency education, and compared with frameworks of solidarity and accompaniment along the following dimensions: core focus, primary audience, values emphasized, ethical scope, reflection and deliberation, justice framing, veracity (truth-telling), and accountability.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The APHA, AAPHD, and ADA codes of ethics emphasize justice, truth-telling, and professional responsibility but differ in scope, from individual clinical care to population-level health. We demonstrate how frameworks of solidarity and accompaniment can deepen dental professional codes of ethics by expanding traditional principles to include relationality, proximity to suffering, and structural critique.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This commentary positions dental public health as a critical catalyst for transforming DSL/CBDE by embracing solidarity and accompaniment as guiding ethical frameworks and by redefining success through humility, shared purpose, authentic partnership, community-driven metrics, and culturally responsive pedagogy. Doing so will inculcate in dental professionals sustainable, responsive, accountable, and justice-oriented practices and will strengthen the future of public health dentistry by cultivating clinicians committed to equity beyond episodic outreach. The paper concludes with recommendations for curricular reform and institutional alignment to support this paradigm.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16913,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health dentistry","volume":"86 S1","pages":"36-42"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13006726/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147501348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quality Improvement as a Tool for Health Equity: Perspectives From North Carolina","authors":"Caroline McLeod,&nbsp;Stephanie Clester,&nbsp;Chelsea Chokas,&nbsp;Rebekah Mathews","doi":"10.1111/jphd.70009","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jphd.70009","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Share lessons learned from using quality improvement (QI) and data-informed decision making to advance health equity in North Carolina.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Thirteen safety net dental practices implemented community-informed QI initiatives from 2022 to 2024. They identified community needs, aligned goals and resources, made practice-level improvements, and used data to measure progress. Collective learnings were used to advocate for policy changes supporting health equity.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>QI initiatives engaged 87,000 patients across 47 counties. Practice-level care delivery improvements included telehealth, minimally invasive care, addressing social drivers of health, and bolstering care coordination and referral processes. Understanding community needs, organizational support, funding, QI tools, and data-informed decision-making drove success. Barriers included data collection and staffing challenges, as well as workforce and reimbursement policies. The QI processes generated evidence for collective action around policy changes to improve care access and health equity in the state.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The QI process generated evidence that ultimately drove advocacy efforts aimed at improving health equity through systems change.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16913,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health dentistry","volume":"86 S1","pages":"54-59"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145056612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Policy Levers to Support the Transition From Pediatric to Adult Dental Care for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities","authors":"Chelsea Fosse,&nbsp;Lauren Mann,&nbsp;Mark Veazie,&nbsp;Barbie Vartanian,&nbsp;Elizabeth S. Gosnell,&nbsp;Jessica Webb,&nbsp;Jessica Y. Lee","doi":"10.1111/jphd.70038","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jphd.70038","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families and caregivers are faced with navigating two very different delivery and financing systems in dentistry: one during childhood and the other—often very disjointed—in adulthood. Even in states that offer Medicaid dental coverage for adults, the services are often substantially reduced, and the provider base to find a dentist is drastically diminished. Pediatric dentists encounter difficulty finding colleagues willing to take on the care of their patients with IDD as they reach adulthood. As a nation, we prioritize the health and wellbeing of children with disabilities via Medicaid's Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit. By not establishing this bar of coverage through adulthood, U.S. policy limits the return on investment of EPSDT not only fiscally, but more importantly, in the health and quality of life of people with IDD as they progress into adulthood. Here we review policy prospects in disability services and dental care that could improve the transition experience and outcomes for patients, families, and providers. Within the disabilities realm, policies related to Home and Community Based Services, Long-Term Services and Supports, Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans, HEADs UP Act, and EPSDT extension for IDD are considered. Dental policy opportunities explored relate to code development for transition implementation, quality measurement, and building upon existing clinical support tools for transition implementation. We assess the variety of stakeholder support and other inputs necessary and describe opportunities and challenges with our current day political environment.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16913,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health dentistry","volume":"86 S1","pages":"88-95"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147501330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recommitting Public Health Dentistry to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion","authors":"Nadia Laniado,&nbsp;Sofía Iribarren,&nbsp;Julie C. Reynolds","doi":"10.1111/jphd.70013","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jphd.70013","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16913,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health dentistry","volume":"86 S1","pages":"96-97"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145254195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Workforce Equity and Dental Health Aides in CHAP: A Scoping Review","authors":"Amanda J. Llaneza,&nbsp;Kara A. Stone,&nbsp;Pamela Ready,&nbsp;Julie Seward","doi":"10.1111/jphd.70022","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jphd.70022","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Oral health workforce shortages are a persistent challenge throughout the United States (US), disproportionately affecting American Indian/Alaskan (AI/AN) Native communities. Shortages limit access to routine and preventive dental care across settings, contributing to oral health inequities and systemic shortfalls. The integration of additional, community-based providers is a viable means of improving access and addressing these disparities. The objective of this study was to evaluate publications focused on community-based providers within the Community Health Aide Program (CHAP) through a workforce health equity lens, with an emphasis on their role serving AI/AN populations.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Article screening, and data extraction were done independently by two reviewers. Articles and documents that: (1) examined DHAs or other community-based providers' relation to workforce or health equity; (2) were published in the last 60 years; and/or (3) were peer-reviewed, government reports, and organizational reports, published curriculum, and other dental health aide program materials were included in the analysis.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This scoping review yielded a total of 33 articles. Articles discussed recruitment (<i>n</i> = 10), retention (<i>n</i> = 6), curriculum (<i>n</i> = 23), and access to care (<i>n</i> = 24) of a range of mid-level providers. Provider types included the dental therapist (<i>n</i> = 28), primary DHA I and II (<i>n</i> = 5), expanded function DHA (<i>n</i> = 3), dental hygienist (<i>n</i> = 4), all DHAs (<i>n</i> = 3), or other mid-level providers generally (<i>n</i> = 4).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This review synthesizes previous work to increase understanding of the integration of dental health aides, through the CHAP Framework. Findings outline the key oral health workforce concepts to increase access to oral healthcare through a culturally adapted approach.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16913,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health dentistry","volume":"86 S1","pages":"76-87"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147501288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing Oral Health Awareness Among Arab Immigrants & Refugees","authors":"Razan Al-Obaidy,&nbsp;Taj Najjar,&nbsp;Israa Al-Jumaa,&nbsp;Jenny Chang,&nbsp;Ashten Waks,&nbsp;Heike Thiel de Bocanegra","doi":"10.1111/jphd.70042","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jphd.70042","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>There is limited information about oral health awareness among Arab immigrants and refugees (AIR) in the United States, though research conducted on this demographic globally has shown a major correlation between poor oral health outcomes and sociodemographic factors. This study examined oral health practices and awareness of the increased gingivitis risk during pregnancy among AIR in Southern California.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This was a cross-sectional survey on oral health knowledge and access barriers among male and female AIR participants recruited via community organizations and dental clinics. Bivariate and multivariate analyses evaluated the association between oral health awareness and demographics, oral health literacy, general health knowledge, and knowledge of pregnancy-related gingivitis risk.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The sample included 73 participants (31 males, 42 females), mostly aged 18–30; 67% held bachelor's degrees or higher, and 41% had immigrated due to war or violence. Females showed higher Oral Health Risk Awareness Scores than males (0.75 vs. 0.61, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.006), with no significant differences by age or ethnicity. Most respondents reported financial and language barriers to dental care. Although over 75% recognized a link between oral and general health, only 38% knew of the increased periodontal risk during pregnancy.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The financial, linguistic, and educational obstacles that AIR populations must overcome to obtain dental care pose challenges and have an impact on their awareness of the risks to their oral health. These findings highlight the importance of culturally sensitive health education and outreach efforts.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Practical Implications</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Culturally appropriate programs and multilingual materials are necessary to improve care by addressing AIR's knowledge of gingivitis risks and promoting preventative dental care.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16913,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health dentistry","volume":"86 1","pages":"144-151"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146047644","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Oral Health and Quality of Life Among Unhoused Residents in Chicago: Implications for Public Health Interventions","authors":"Erin Seunghee Kim,&nbsp;Abigail McIntosh,&nbsp;Rachel Chang,&nbsp;Evan A. Patel,&nbsp;Katie Holland,&nbsp;Vanessa Stubbs,&nbsp;Ashok Jagasia,&nbsp;Mihir K. Bhayani","doi":"10.1111/jphd.70024","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jphd.70024","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>To investigate disparities in oral health and quality of life between unhoused and housed populations in Chicago, Illinois, and highlight potential areas for policy intervention.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Cross-sectional study using the modified Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), a 14-item validated survey assessing seven domains affected by oral health, such as functional limitation, pain, and social disability. Data were collected from unhoused patients at the Rush CURE Clinic and housed patients from the Rush University Department of Otolaryngology Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. Demographics, oral health, and quality of life perception data were collected through the OHIP-14 survey. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, binomial tests, and ANOVA.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Housed patients had increased access to healthy food (97% vs. 51%, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), health insurance (100% vs. 65%, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), and employment (64% vs. 35%, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Unhoused patients reported greater challenges across multiple OHIP-14 domains, including dissatisfaction with diet (33.3% vs. 7.7%, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), difficulty with occupational activities (22% vs. 5.2%, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), and lower overall quality of life satisfaction (32% vs. 5.2%, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study underscores the intersection of homelessness, oral health, and social determinants of quality of life. Findings may guide policymakers in designing targeted, community-based preventive interventions—particularly expanding oral health services, nutritional support, and employment resources for vulnerable populations. Structurally informed public health strategies are needed to reduce oral health inequities and their downstream effects on daily functioning and overall wellbeing.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16913,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health dentistry","volume":"86 1","pages":"3-9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145770261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}