About this Research Topic
Oral health disparities among populations, while partly due to biological factors, also reflect the complex interplay of biology and culture. Biocultural anthropology delves beyond basic "nature versus nurture" arguments to understand interactions between cultural practices, beliefs, social context, and biological susceptibilities. For example, cultural dietary patterns can affect nutrient intake, influencing caries risk and fluoride accessibility. Traditional healing methods may offer benefits or contrarily interact poorly with medications, affecting oral health outcomes. Socioeconomic discrepancies limit healthcare, education, and clean water access, often leading certain communities towards poor oral health. Moreover, stigma tied to specific oral health conditions may deter individuals from proper care seeking. Understanding these intertwined factors from a biocultural perspective will enable us to devise culturally appropriate interventions and promote fair access to quality oral healthcare across all communities.
Oral health disparities persist globally, with marginalized communities experiencing a disproportionate burden of dental disease and limited access to care. Traditional biomedical approaches often overlook the complex interplay of biological, cultural, and social factors that contribute to these inequities. The problem at the heart of this Research Topic lies in the persistent disparities in oral health outcomes among diverse cultural groups. To address this, we must comprehend the intricate interplay between biological and cultural factors impacting oral health. Initiatives should focus on comprehensive studies that amalgamate biological markers with cultural practices, social structures, and historical contexts. Understanding how cultural beliefs affect oral health behaviors, access to dental care, and dietary patterns is vital. Research should aim to develop culturally sensitive interventions, tailored educational programs, and accessible dental health services that align with diverse cultural norms. Collaborations between anthropologists, healthcare providers, and communities are pivotal. By integrating bio cultural perspectives, we can design holistic approaches that not only acknowledge biological aspects but also respect and incorporate cultural diversity, ultimately reducing oral health disparities across diverse populations.
Potential research subjects under this topic could encompass, though would not be limited to, the following areas:
• Cultural Practices and Oral Health: Investigate how cultural beliefs, traditions, and practices influence oral health behaviors, preventive measures, and treatment seeking patterns.
• Socioeconomic Factors and Access to Dental Care: Examine the impact of socioeconomic disparities, including income, education, and geographic location, on access to dental services and its consequences for oral health outcomes.
• Biological Determinants in Cultural Contexts: Explore genetic, immunological, and biological factors influencing oral health within diverse cultural groups and how these factors interact with cultural practices.
• Interventions and Policies: Evaluate and propose culturally sensitive interventions, educational programs, and policy recommendations aimed at reducing oral health disparities across diverse cultural populations.
• Community Engagement and Collaborative Approaches: Highlight successful community-based initiatives and collaborative efforts involving healthcare providers, anthropologists, policymakers, and local communities in addressing oral health disparities.
Submissions may feature original research, review articles, case studies, policy analyses, systematic reviews, Meta Analyses/ Meta Synthesis, Evidence Generation Studies, Qualitative Studies, Quantitative Analyses, Longitudinal Studies, Health Equity Assessments, Ethnographic Reports, Interventional Studies and Technology and Innovation Studies. These varied types of manuscripts can offer a comprehensive view of the biocultural perspectives on oral health disparities, encompassing different research methodologies and approaches.
Oral health disparities persist globally, with marginalized communities experiencing a disproportionate burden of dental disease and limited access to care. Traditional biomedical approaches often overlook the complex interplay of biological, cultural, and social factors that contribute to these inequities. The problem at the heart of this Research Topic lies in the persistent disparities in oral health outcomes among diverse cultural groups. To address this, we must comprehend the intricate interplay between biological and cultural factors impacting oral health. Initiatives should focus on comprehensive studies that amalgamate biological markers with cultural practices, social structures, and historical contexts. Understanding how cultural beliefs affect oral health behaviors, access to dental care, and dietary patterns is vital. Research should aim to develop culturally sensitive interventions, tailored educational programs, and accessible dental health services that align with diverse cultural norms. Collaborations between anthropologists, healthcare providers, and communities are pivotal. By integrating bio cultural perspectives, we can design holistic approaches that not only acknowledge biological aspects but also respect and incorporate cultural diversity, ultimately reducing oral health disparities across diverse populations.
Potential research subjects under this topic could encompass, though would not be limited to, the following areas:
• Cultural Practices and Oral Health: Investigate how cultural beliefs, traditions, and practices influence oral health behaviors, preventive measures, and treatment seeking patterns.
• Socioeconomic Factors and Access to Dental Care: Examine the impact of socioeconomic disparities, including income, education, and geographic location, on access to dental services and its consequences for oral health outcomes.
• Biological Determinants in Cultural Contexts: Explore genetic, immunological, and biological factors influencing oral health within diverse cultural groups and how these factors interact with cultural practices.
• Interventions and Policies: Evaluate and propose culturally sensitive interventions, educational programs, and policy recommendations aimed at reducing oral health disparities across diverse cultural populations.
• Community Engagement and Collaborative Approaches: Highlight successful community-based initiatives and collaborative efforts involving healthcare providers, anthropologists, policymakers, and local communities in addressing oral health disparities.
Submissions may feature original research, review articles, case studies, policy analyses, systematic reviews, Meta Analyses/ Meta Synthesis, Evidence Generation Studies, Qualitative Studies, Quantitative Analyses, Longitudinal Studies, Health Equity Assessments, Ethnographic Reports, Interventional Studies and Technology and Innovation Studies. These varied types of manuscripts can offer a comprehensive view of the biocultural perspectives on oral health disparities, encompassing different research methodologies and approaches.
Keywords: Epidemiology, General Health, Interdisciplinary, Multidisciplinary Medicine, Oral Health, Well-being, Health Disparities, Health Perceptions, Quality of Life, Dental Services, Disadvantaged Populations, Interventions to Reduce Disparities
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.
