Understanding Racial Disparities in Oral Hygiene

Ethan Philip, Emory University

In the United States, racial inequality permeates every aspect of life, including oral health disparities, even with significant advancements in dentistry. Recent studies reveal a concerning gap in oral hygiene between different ethnic groups. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data from 2011 to 2016, Hispanic and black Americans consistently exhibit worse oral health across all age groups when compared to their white counterparts. Alarming rates of untreated cavities, oral cancer, and gum disease are particularly prevalent among these minority communities.

Historical Trends

Historically, American dentistry has been discriminatory towards minority groups, especially against African Americans. The American Dental Association, an organization that sets public guidelines for oral health, has engaged in discriminatory hiring practices until the Civil Rights Act of 1964, according to ADA spokesman Fred Peterson on NPR News. This has led to the underrepresentation of black Americans in dentistry, which is still an ongoing issue. Furthermore, black citizens have been denied access to all health services, including oral care, throughout history. Dentists have refused to treat African American patients, and other healthcare professionals have forcefully experimented on and misinformed blacks. As a result, many minorities have lost trust in American healthcare, which has led to worsened disparities in oral health. 

What’s Happening Today

In 2011, the American Public Health Association investigated children’s dental health among different ethnicities, aiming to explore how racism in dentistry has impacted these groups in the modern age. To reach their findings, the researchers compiled data from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health. Within the one-year duration of the study, it was found that over one-third of black and Hispanic children had at least one dental problem, compared to 24% of white children. Only about half of black and Hispanic children received preventative dental healthcare, whereas 61% of white children received this treatment. This evidence indicates that historic discrimination and contemporary racism likely play a role in the oral health discrepancies of today. 

Racism and prejudice have caused a large disparity between the oral health of different ethnicities. The exclusion of African Americans in the field of dentistry and the denial of minority patients have created an imbalance of oral hygiene between white and non-white Americans. Today, blacks and Hispanics typically have worse dental health and are at much higher risk of obtaining oral diseases than other groups. 

Future Visions

In making strides to combat racism in dentistry, it is important to remember the systemic inequalities that affect minorities today. Together, as a society, we can rally for change and create a fairer, healthier future where everyone, regardless of their background, can enjoy a healthy, radiant smile with better trust between patients and dentists. By championing this cause and promoting initiatives for change, we can transform the face of dentistry into a more inclusive and vibrant picture for everyone.