Oral Health is a Human Right: Bridging the Gap for Houseless Individuals

The Importance of Oral Health

Oral health is integral to overall health, well-being, and quality of life. It enables essential functions such as eating, speaking, and socializing without discomfort or embarrassment. Neglecting oral health can lead to severe health complications, including chronic pain, malnutrition due to difficulty eating, and systemic infections that exacerbate other conditions. Additionally, poor oral health can hinder employability and social integration, perpetuating the cycle of homelessness.

Oral Health as a Human Right

Access to oral healthcare is recognized as a fundamental human right. However, underserved populations, including houseless individuals, often face significant barriers to accessing compassionate, accessible, collaborative, and affordable oral healthcare. Addressing these disparities is essential for promoting social justice and health equity.

Challenges Faced by Houseless Individuals

Houseless individuals experience higher levels of dental caries and periodontal diseases compared to the general population. Barriers such as high costs, lack of accessible dental services, and other social and economic factors contribute to delayed or missed diagnoses and worse clinical outcomes.

Call to Action

Recognizing oral health as a human right shows the importance of prioritizing efforts to remove barriers and ensure equitable access to dental care for all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status. This includes advocating for policy changes, supporting organizations that provide free or low-cost dental services, and raising awareness about the critical role oral health plays in overall well-being. By addressing these challenges and promoting oral health equity, we can improve the quality of life for houseless individuals and work towards breaking the cycle of homelessness.

References:

• World Health Organization. (n.d.). Oral health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/oral-health
• Harm Reduction Journal. (2022). Access to oral care is a human rights issue. Harm Reduction Journal, 19(1), Article 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00626-4 
• Lione, R., Ralli, M., De Razza, F. C., D’Amato, G., Arcangeli, A., Carbone, L., & Cozza, P. (2024). Oral health epidemiological investigation in an urban homeless population. Dentistry Journal, 12(10), 324. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/12/10/324.
• Hayes, B. The Medical Team International mobile dental clinic provides basic dental care during a community wellness event. Statesman Journal. Retrieved from https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/oregon/2022/10/25/free-mobile-medical-dental-care-clinics-oregon-washington-kaiser-mti-free-food-health-care-barriers/69587760007/=
• Bridgeview Smiles. (n.d.). Community services [Photograph]. Bridgeview Smiles. Retrieved from https://www.bridgeviewsmiles.com/our-practice/community-services/