Community Violence May Impact Access to Dental Healthcare
Researchers investigate how violence in communities affects dental care utilization — and what oral health professionals can do about it.
Nearly two in five American adults have not had dental care in the past year. Studies link specific forms of violence, including adverse childhood experiences and intimate partner violence, with an increase in unmet dental needs. Research, however, has been limited on how violence exposure impacts access to dental care over time. A new study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, is designed to change that.1
Co-principal investigator for the study Alexander Testa, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Management, Policy and Community Health at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health at San Antonio, is a leading expert in understanding the health consequences of violence and exposure to related risks. He explained, “Community violence exposure is a serious public health issue affecting millions of Americans each year. Understanding its impact on dental care access and use is essential, as it may disrupt preventive care and worsen health disparities.”2
MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH
The researchers hope to identify violence-related dental care barriers from multiple perspectives, including individual exposure to violence, vicarious community violence exposure, and community firearm violence. Using longitudinal data sets, they aim to understand how violence exposure influences oral health habits from childhood to adulthood.
“This research will help identify how violence, both personal and community-based, creates barriers to health care, including dental care,” said Project Leader Rahma Mungia, BDS, MSc, DDPHRCS, an associate professor with the Department of Periodontics, director of the South Texas Oral Health Network, and assistant director of the Southwest Region, National Dental Practice-Based Research Network.2
Mungia, who also serves as the regional principal coordinator for the Southwest node of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), explains that the next step after this study will be to develop a clinical trial and further research through the practice-based network.2
WHAT PROVIDERS CAN DO
The researchers hope to develop interventions to improve dental care access in affected communities. According to a poll conducted by NIDCR, just 17.2% of dental professionals asked their patients about violence exposure on health history forms, although more than half agreed that screening for violence exposure should be part of dental care.2
“Dental professionals, particularly those serving children and young adults, are uniquely positioned to help address this issue,” said Testa. “By screening patients for violence exposure and partnering with community organizations that support victims, they can play a pivotal role in improving care and advancing health equity for vulnerable populations.”2
Peter M. Loomer, VSc, DDS, PhD, MBA, FACD, FICD, dean and professor at UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry, and director of the Center for Global and Community Oral Health, acknowledged the importance of the study in developing interventions and services to improve dental care access in communities with high rates of violence. Said Loomer, “By understanding how violence affects dental care utilization, we can refine the care offered and make a positive impact on the health of some of our most vulnerable populations.”2
Mungia noted that the creation of a counseling program for practitioners is the ultimate goal. She said that identifying individuals who are likely to be affected by violence and giving them counseling and referral to resources could become a routine part of dental healthcare.2
References
- Mungia R, Testa AM. Violence exposure and dental care utilization over the lifespan. NIH Report.
- Kowalick C. San Antonio scientists investigate impact of violence on rates of dental care use. UT Health San Antonio Newsroom.
