Mapping the barriers and facilitators of oral healthcare access for vulnerable migrants across high-income countries: a scoping review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

According to the World Health Organisation, oral health (OH) diseases are a major global health issue and outcomes are consistently poorer among refugees and migrants than host populations in many high-income countries (HICs). In the UK, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities recognises asylum seekers, refugees, undocumented migrants, low-wage migrants, unaccompanied minors, and victims of trafficking as vulnerable migrants. These groups face worse OH outcomes due to systemic, socio-economic, cultural, and lifestyle-related factors, alongside barriers to accessing dental services. This scoping review explores the barriers and facilitators to oral healthcare experienced by vulnerable migrants in HICs.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review using the Arkse

SUBMITTER: Lal Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12904860 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature