Month/Year of Graduation
12-2020
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Liam Heerten-Rodriguez
Abstract
Primary dental care is a patient-centered service consisting of routine dental checkups. The oral cavity is the first point of entrance to the body for many harmful pathogens. Therefore, primary dental care is essential to not only prevent and treat conditions in the mouth, but to also reduce the number of systemic diseases in the rest of the body. However, people with higher incomes or wealth have increased access to primary dental care. People with low socioeconomic status have decreased access to primary dental care, at least in part due to difficulties in paying for separate dental insurance. Disparities in oral health are a growing problem. Preventative services need to be available to ensure everyone is receiving quality dental care. This policy analysis identifies barriers to accessing primary dental care for people with low socioeconomic status and evaluates policy solutions to increase primary dental care access and overall dental health.
Recommended Citation
Nutter, McKenzie, "Disparities in Oral Health: Socioeconomic Status and Policies to Increase Access to Primary Dental Care" (2020). Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects. 113.
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/university_honors_program/113
Included in
Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Dental Hygiene Commons, Dental Public Health and Education Commons, Environmental Public Health Commons, Health Law and Policy Commons, Medicine and Health Commons, Other Dentistry Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons, Quality Improvement Commons, Social Work Commons