Oral Health Inequalities in Children: Global Perspectives and Local Solutions

Oral health is a fundamental component of overall well-being, particularly for children whose growth, development, and quality of life are intimately linked to oral health status. However, oral health inequalities among children remain a stark and unresolved global challenge, disproportionately affecting low-income and marginalized communities, both in developed and developing countries. These disparities are shaped by a complex interplay of social determinants, including socioeconomic status, geographic location, cultural factors, access to healthcare, educational attainment, and public health policy.

Recent studies highlight alarming trends: dental caries remains the most prevalent non-communicable disease worldwide, with more than 530 million children suffering from untreated dental decay (WHO, 2023). The COVID-19 pandemic has widened oral health inequities due to disruptions in dental services and exacerbation of underlying social vulnerabilities. New research has detailed links between oral health, childhood nutrition, academic performance, and systemic diseases, underscoring the urgency for multifaceted, collaborative interventions.

This Research Topic invites scholarly contributions that explore the drivers and consequences of oral health inequalities in children at global, national, and local levels. We are particularly interested in research and reviews addressing:

- Epidemiological patterns and trends in pediatric oral diseases across regions and populations

- Social, economic, and environmental determinants underlying disparities in oral health outcomes

- Interventions and policies—ranging from community-based programs, school dental services, and maternal education to systemic health reforms—that have shown promise in mitigating oral health gaps

- Comparative analyses of successful models from diverse cultural or economic settings

- Barriers and facilitators to accessing pediatric dental care, including the role of tele-dentistry and digital platforms

- The impact of broader public health crises (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) on pediatric oral health disparities

- Advocacy, policy recommendations, and implementation science in pursuit of equity-driven solutions

We encourage multidisciplinary submissions leveraging quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches, as well as innovative methodologies such as geospatial analysis, longitudinal cohort studies, intervention trials, and participatory action research. Articles from practitioners working "on the ground," as well as voices from affected communities, are strongly welcomed.

By collecting and synthesizing global perspectives and locally adapted solutions, this Research Topic aims to catalyze actionable research, inform policy, and inspire scalable interventions toward closing the oral health equity gap for children—setting the foundation for a healthier next generation.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: pediatric oral health, oral health disparities, children dental care, global health equity, social determinants of health, oral health interventions, child dental disease, oral health policy

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.