This briefing considers differences in dental diseases and in the utilisation of dental services between black and minority ethnic groups and the general population in the UK. It highlights ways to improve their oral health and dental service experiences and makes recommendations for future research.
Key messages
- Poor oral health remains a significant public health problem in England, particularly among people living in deprived areas.
- While the links between oral health and ethnicity are complicated and often confounded by socio-economic status, the prevalence of certain oral diseases is higher in some ethnic group.
- Attempts have been made to improve the availability of NHS dental services in many parts of the country, although there is some evidence to suggest that utilisation of dental services varies between different ethnic groups.
- Further research is needed into ways to improve the acceptability of dental services for people from black and minority ethnic groups.
Sections
- Dental disease experience
- Uptake of dental services
- Case studies
Author(s): Marshman, Zoe
Briefing series: Better Health Briefing Paper 29
Publisher: Race Equality Foundation
Publication date: August 2013