Oral Health, Culture, and Systemic Racism

According to an article in Spear titled "Oral Health and Culture: How Race and Ethnicity Affect Dental Treatment," oral health and culture are far more closely linked than most people often realize.

The article states that "people of different races and ethnicities must contend with barriers to treatment built on systemic racism."

Systemic racism refers to the ways in which racial discrimination is embedded within the policies, practices, and norms of various societal institutions.

Of course, at our free dental clinic, we see it presented in the area of healthcare, which is our mission and why we exist - so that everyone in our community has access to dental care. We must also stop and think about the other areas systemic racism is present though, such as employment and housing.

Why? Well, it all comes full circle when you think about how oral health and overall success go hand in hand.

Photo credit: Spear.com

"Good oral health is the baseline for success in about every way. It affects our personal well-being, how we feel about ourselves, and how society perceives us. The three components above account for everything in life - from individual health to the health of overall communities. When race and culture impact oral health, they also impact everything else," the article states.

So having poor oral health already sets up the underserved to not only struggle with oral health but also with overall success, often leading to struggle with other areas of systemic racism like employment and housing.

In 2022, it was reported by the Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health that there are only 20 clinics in all of Pennsylvania who offer free dental care.

So if you live in a community where accessing dental care is difficult - meaning it is hard to get to the dentist due to distance and lack of public transportation, or it is too expensive to get the dental care you need and there are no free clinics nearby, you are already less likely to be successful than someone who does have easier access to dental care.

In fact, the CDC reports that over $45 billion is lost in productivity in the United States each year because of untreated oral disease.

We are committed to increasing access to free dental care and decreasing oral health disparities here in Bucks County and Montgomery County, but we need you to help our voices be heard and to help educate just how important dental care is for those who work hard but cannot afford dental insurance - and for the brave men and women who served our country who now have difficulty accessing the dental care they need.

If you or someone you know is in need of free dental care, please click here to view our eligibility requirements or call HealthLink Dental Clinic at 215-364-4247.