Persistent Barriers Hinder Adolescents' Oral Health Improvements

Although overall dental health among young children in the United States has seen notable progress over the past twenty years, adolescents have not experienced similar advancements. A recent study conducted in Western New York, led by Dr. Rubelisa Oliveira, an assistant professor at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, delves into the underlying reasons for this disparity. Despite living under similar socioeconomic conditions and in the same households as their younger siblings, adolescents aged 12 to 17 display significantly poorer oral health outcomes. Data indicates that nearly 60% of adolescents have untreated tooth decay, a figure that has only slightly increased over previous decades, underscoring widening gaps in access to dental care, particularly among Hispanic and Black youth.

Dr. Oliveira, who joined the Department of Periodontics and Endodontics in 2022 and received a $420,000 grant in 2023 to study barriers to dental care, has been exploring these issues through community-engaged research and clinical data analysis. Her team analyzed dental visit records from 2018 to 2023 at UB Dental, a clinic affiliated with the university that provides services to uninsured and underserved populations.

The research pinpointed that missed dental appointments are a prominent problem, with adolescents accounting for 24% of all missed visits from 2018 to 2023. The study also uncovered that factors such as financial constraints, logistical issues, and dental anxiety significantly impact appointment adherence. Notably, caregiver anxiety was found to be strongly linked to adolescent anxiety, with over 60% of both caregivers and youths exhibiting elevated dental fears, which are associated with poorer health outcomes.

Language barriers and misunderstandings about Medicaid coverage further complicate access to care. Many families are unaware that children over 12 qualify for dental coverage through Medicaid, especially in households where English is not the primary language. Additionally, families often prioritize urgent needs like housing or food insecurity over dental health. Adolescents themselves may also resist dental visits, especially after negative experiences or ongoing anxiety.

To address these challenges, Dr. Oliveira’s team utilizes the Community Engagement Studio model to gather insights from community members, shaping more culturally sensitive and relevant outreach tools. Proposed solutions include scheduling family-wide appointments, clarifying Medicaid coverage, and establishing staff support to help families navigate the health system. Efforts also extend into local schools, offering dental screenings and oral health education, with plans to train school nurses to better identify and refer students in need.

Ultimately, the research emphasizes the need to look beyond just missed appointments. The team advocates that understanding and addressing broader social and structural barriers are essential to improving adolescent oral health outcomes. Building systems that support families and adolescents in maintaining dental health is crucial for fostering lifelong healthy behaviors.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-persistent-barriers-adolescents-oral-health.html