Journal Article

Perspectives on Social and Environmental Determinants of Oral Health

de Abreu, Mauro Henrique Nogueira Guimarães, Cruz, Alex Junio Silva, Martins, Renata de Castro, Mattos, Flávio de Freitas, Borges-Oliveira, Ana Cristina

2021

Overview

Most oral conditions have a multifactorial etiology; that is, they are modulated by biological, social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors. A consistent body of evidence has demonstrated the great burden of dental caries and periodontal disease in individuals from low socioeconomic strata. Oral health habits and access to care are influenced by the social determinants of health. Hence, the delivery of health promotion strategies at the population level has shown a great impact on reducing the prevalence of oral diseases. More recently, a growing discussion about the relationship between the environment, climate change, and oral health has been set in place. Certainly, outlining plans to address oral health inequities is not an easy task. It will demand political will, comprehensive funding of health services, and initiatives to reduce inequalities. This paper sought to give a perspective about the role of social and physical environmental factors on oral health conditions while discussing how the manuscripts published in this Special Issue could increase our knowledge of the topic.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Adults / Age groups / Climate change / Dental caries / Dental Caries - epidemiology / Ethnicity / Gender / Health behavior / Health Inequities / Health Promotion / Health services / Health Status Disparities / Humans / Influence / Oral cancer / Oral diseases / Oral Health / Oral hygiene / Prevention / Psychological aspects / Qualitative research / Quality of life / Review / Social Determinants of Health / Sociodemographics / Socioeconomic Factors / Teenagers