Beyond Universal Coverage: The Magnitude of the Oral Health Equity Gap Between Socially Excluded Children and a Reference Paediatric Population Within a Single Spanish Setting.
Researchers compared oral health in socially vulnerable children attending schools in disadvantaged areas with reference children in a Spanish city, finding caries was 5.5 times more prevalent in vulnerable children despite universal healthcare coverage. Social exclusion remained strongly associated with caries even after accounting for brushing and sugar consumption, suggesting structural factors beyond individual behaviours drive the gap.
A plain-English summary of the study's own findings — we don't add our own claims or interpretation. Read the full paper for the complete methods and results, and apply your own clinical judgement.
Read the full study at the sourceRelated CPD from Vital Pulp
Oral Health Management for PEG Fed Children
Oral health care for children fed entirely by PEG tube — a practical guide for Australian oral health therapists.
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