State-Level Structural Racism and Children's Dental Care Access and Oral Health.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Black children in the United States have lower rates of dental visits and higher rates of poor oral health. However, few studies have examined the role of structural racism as a contributor to racial gaps in children's oral health. This study assessed associations between state-level structural racism and oral health outcomes of children and the related Black-White disparities.

Methods

This repeated cross-sectional observational study examined children aged 1 to 17 y in the 2016 to 2021 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). Three outcomes were examined: utilization (dentist visit in past 12 mo), any oral health problem (difficulty in past 12 mo with bleeding gums, cavities, or toothaches), and oral health (teeth in excellent or very good condition). A sta

SUBMITTER: Kranz AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12605914 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature