Meeting People Where They Are: Lessons Learned from Dental Screening in Low-income Community Settings

Oral health disparities disproportionately affect low-income populations, contributing to systemic health issues. Limited access to affordable dental care often results in untreated dental conditions, which can impair overall health and economic stability.

This study explored the feasibility of conducting dental screenings in community settings and supporting individuals in establishing a dental home.

The study was implemented across two sites, a food pantry (n = 64) and a free medical clinic (n = 63), serving socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Participants were randomized into intervention (n = 59) and control groups (n = 67). Follow-up assessments were conducted one month post-intervention to evaluate dental appointment adherence and identify barriers to care.

Screening in a food pantry or a free medical clinic is feasible. However, no significant difference was found in dental appointment follow-through at the one-month time-frame, χ2(1) = 0.43, p = 0.512, 1 - β = 0.07, likely due to systemic delays in accessing Medicaid-accepting providers.

While community-based dental screenings are viable, systemic challenges hinder timely access to care. Future outreach efforts should account for the extended time required to establish a dental home and consider multimonth follow-ups. Innovative, community-engaged strategies-such as mobile dental units and streamlined referral systems-may enhance access and continuity of care for underserved populations.