About this Research Topic
Research consistently confirms that maternal oral health is critical for children's oral health, well-being, and long-term health. Childhood oral health affects development, nutrition, and overall quality of life. It promotes lifelong oral health and lowers healthcare costs. Children's dental problems can cause pain, discomfort, and psychosocial challenges, affecting self-esteem and social interactions. Despite healthcare advances, maternal and child oral health disparities persist within and between countries globally. Socioeconomic status, cultural diversity, access to care, and healthcare policies contribute to mothers' and childrens' disproportionately high oral health burden compared with other demographic groups. Addressing maternal and child oral health disparities is advocated as a cost-effective means to improve overall health and children’s future well-being. Integrated care models involving oral health professionals, pediatricians, obstetricians, nurses, and other healthcare providers are a suggested approach for improving maternal and child oral health. This Research Topic seeks to bridge knowledge gaps, share innovative approaches, and propose policy recommendations to improve oral healthcare for mothers and their children, promoting healthier generations and communities.
Mother-child oral health disparities are a global public health issue. The unequal access to oral healthcare services of vulnerable groups like expectant mothers and children leads to preventable oral diseases and lower well-being. Socio-economic factors, cultural diversity, and systemic barriers exacerbate these health disparities. Recent research on the social determinants of oral health disparities emphasizes comprehensive, integrated care models. Collaboration between oral health professionals, pediatricians, obstetricians, and nurses can foster prevention and improve maternal and child oral health outcomes. Furthermore, novel care models and policy recommendations highlights the field's potential for transformational change. This Research Topic seeks to improve understanding of maternal and child populations oral health disparities and propose equity and wellness strategies. Investigating the social, economic, and cultural determinants of these disparities and sharing recent advances in integrated care models and policy recommendations will help us achieve the following goals:
1. Provide a platform for the dissemination of recent maternal and child oral health research findings, evidence-based practices, and policy suggestions.
2. Promote innovation in disparities reduction by encouraging collaboration among healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, and community advocates.
3. Promote healthier outcomes by advocating for policy changes that prioritize equitable oral healthcare availability for mothers and children.
We welcome submissions that encompass a wide range of topics within the scope of maternal and child oral health disparities, including but not limited to:
1. Determinants of Disparities: Research into the social, economic, and cultural factors that contribute to oral health disparities among maternal and child populations.
2. Integrated Care Models: Studies highlighting collaborative efforts between oral health professionals, pediatricians, obstetricians, nurses, and other healthcare providers in the development and implementation of integrated care models to improve maternal and child oral health outcomes. Investigations into the effectiveness of different care models, including innovative approaches, in addressing oral health disparities in maternal and child populations.
3. Policy Suggestions: Policy papers and recommendations aimed at addressing oral health disparities and promoting equitable access to oral healthcare services for maternal and child populations.
Mother-child oral health disparities are a global public health issue. The unequal access to oral healthcare services of vulnerable groups like expectant mothers and children leads to preventable oral diseases and lower well-being. Socio-economic factors, cultural diversity, and systemic barriers exacerbate these health disparities. Recent research on the social determinants of oral health disparities emphasizes comprehensive, integrated care models. Collaboration between oral health professionals, pediatricians, obstetricians, and nurses can foster prevention and improve maternal and child oral health outcomes. Furthermore, novel care models and policy recommendations highlights the field's potential for transformational change. This Research Topic seeks to improve understanding of maternal and child populations oral health disparities and propose equity and wellness strategies. Investigating the social, economic, and cultural determinants of these disparities and sharing recent advances in integrated care models and policy recommendations will help us achieve the following goals:
1. Provide a platform for the dissemination of recent maternal and child oral health research findings, evidence-based practices, and policy suggestions.
2. Promote innovation in disparities reduction by encouraging collaboration among healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, and community advocates.
3. Promote healthier outcomes by advocating for policy changes that prioritize equitable oral healthcare availability for mothers and children.
We welcome submissions that encompass a wide range of topics within the scope of maternal and child oral health disparities, including but not limited to:
1. Determinants of Disparities: Research into the social, economic, and cultural factors that contribute to oral health disparities among maternal and child populations.
2. Integrated Care Models: Studies highlighting collaborative efforts between oral health professionals, pediatricians, obstetricians, nurses, and other healthcare providers in the development and implementation of integrated care models to improve maternal and child oral health outcomes. Investigations into the effectiveness of different care models, including innovative approaches, in addressing oral health disparities in maternal and child populations.
3. Policy Suggestions: Policy papers and recommendations aimed at addressing oral health disparities and promoting equitable access to oral healthcare services for maternal and child populations.
Keywords: Oral Health Disparities, Integrated Oral Care, Social Determinants of Health, Maternal and Child Health, Inter-professional Collaboration, Policy Recommendations
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
