Oral Health Care for Vulnerable and Underserved Populations

Individuals who are considered vulnerable and/or underserved may face barriers that make it difficult to obtain dental coverage and basic oral health care services, and access to oral health education. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ‘’underserved communities’’ are populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life. Vulnerable populations include individuals who are racial or ethnic minorities, children, elderly, socioeconomically disadvantaged, underinsured or those with certain medical conditions. Some individuals may even fall into both groups.

The goal of this Research Topic is to highlight, promote, and encourage a variety of research aimed to evaluate and promote oral health care for individuals from vulnerable and underserved communities. Examples of these groups are:

• Black/African American populations
• Latino populations
• American Indian and Alaska Native, and other Indigenous populations
• Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
• Other persons of color
• Members of religious minorities
• LGBTQIA+ populations
• Individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities or cognitive, hearing, speech, and/or vision impairments
• Older adults
• Children
• Rural populations
• Low income or homeless individuals
• Pregnant individuals
• Victims of abuse or trauma
• Individuals with mental health or substance-related disorders
• Individuals with HIV/AIDS.

Frontiers in Oral Health seeks original manuscripts for this Research Topic on Oral Health Care for Vulnerable and Underserved Populations. The journal encourages submissions of original research and welcomes literature reviews and discussion papers so long as they stimulate future research. The Research Topic will be co-guest edited by Drs. Adriana Modesto and Apoena Ribeiro.