Oral Health Disparities and How Midlevel Providers can Improve Access to Quality Dental Care

Abstract

Oral disease continues to be a significant issue across the United States and throughout the world. Oral disease is multifactorial and links to general health. Poor oral hygiene is associated with a lack of education and low socioeconomic status. A literature review was conducted to determine the issues related to oral disease, access to quality dental care, and the implementation of a midlevel dental provider being a solution to improve these issues. The research was gathered from peer-reviewed literature. There are no articles used that are older than seven years, except for historical data. The results of the studies support the need for a midlevel dental provider, especially in communities of low socioeconomic status and the uninsured. The limitations include the research completed, populations used in the research studies, statistical testing, and the outcomes of the studies. The populations chosen in the research studies were mainly of the disadvantaged and underserved. These groups of people are associated with low socioeconomic status, lack of education, lack of medical and dental insurance. Based on the findings, this literature review shows the benefit of a midlevel dental provider and how the implementation of this profession across the United States could positively impact oral health care and improve oral health disparities.