A Scoping Review of Oral Health Outcomes and Oral Health Service Utilization of 2SLGBTQ+ People

Oral health is an integral aspect of overall well-being and quality of life. Population groups such as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer, including other sexual and gender minorities (2SLGBTQ+), have reported poor oral health outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this review was to investigate the extent and scope of the literature describing 2SLGBTQ+ oral health outcomes, including unmet oral health needs and patterns of oral health care service utilization, as well as the risk factors affecting both.

A comprehensive search strategy was developed to review the scope of the literature pertinent to unmet oral health needs and factors affecting access to oral health care among 2SLGBTQ+ members, globally. In total, 6 databases were searched with a combination of keywords relevant to 2SLGBTQ+ oral health status and oral health care utilization.

Our review identified 10 studies that met the eligibility criteria. Five out of 10 studies were based in India, 4 in the United States, and 1 in Brazil. Two studies reported poorer oral health outcomes among transgender people as compared with cisgender people, while 2 studies reported similar patterns of dental service utilization between their transgender and cisgender participants. Five studies explored the personal and structural risk factors associated with poor oral health outcomes, including financial affordability and income level and perceived discrimination, including instances of misgendering in health care settings. However, further comprehensive studies must be conducted to validate the trends and findings reported by the studies in the review and to generate data from diverse regional contexts.

Our review identified that the extent of the literature in this research area is sparse and scarce. The evidence indicates poorer oral health status among 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Wider studies with diverse, representative samples are required to gain a comprehensive understanding of 2SLGBTQ+ oral health outcomes.

The results of this review will undoubtedly be important for many years to come as 2SLGBTQ+ oral health equity is prioritized by experts in public health dentistry. This review will allow other researchers to understand and fill literature gaps regarding 2SLGBTQ+ oral health outcomes, furthering this area of research.