Effect of Covid-19 pandemic on oral health among uninsured populations

Introduction: It is extremely important to maintain optimal oral health. Accessibility to dental care is vital for uninsured low-income individuals. There is a deficit of research that examines oral healthcare seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic among uninsured low-income individuals. Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe oral health-related issues among free clinic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The sample consists of 254 patients of a free clinic located in the Intermountain West. Data were collected by distributing self-administered paper surveys to patients 18 or older who spoke English or Spanish from December 2021 through May 2022. Results: Nearly 40% of study participants reported to be long overdue to dental appointments with many not receiving care within the past two years. Less than 30% of free clinic patients had a dental appointment within the past six months. Cost is the most substantial barrier for free clinic patients to receive dental care. Conclusion: The findings in this study bridge the research gap of dental care experience during the pandemic amongst uninsured populations and ultimately advocate for increased access to dental care at free clinics.