Rural populations have worse oral health care access, utilization, and outcomes in comparison with their urban and suburban counterparts, according to a research report by CareQuest Institute. 

Key findings reveal several oral health disparities for rural residents, including: 

Individuals who experience discrimination or microaggressions within oral care settings have worse oral health outcomes and are less likely to plan a preventive oral care visit in the future, according to an article in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. The insights are based on findings from the CareQuest Institute State of Oral Health Equity in America survey, the largest nationally representative annual survey focused on adults’ knowledge, attitudes, experiences, and behaviors related to oral health. 

The authors write:

Nearly 24 million adults in the US — approximately 9% of the adult population — experience food insecurity, according to CareQuest Institute’s 2023 State of Oral Health Equity in America survey. Survey results reveal that food insecurity is linked to poorer oral health outcomes.  

Key findings on food insecurity from the survey — the largest in the industry focused on adults’ knowledge, attitudes, experiences, and behaviors related to oral health — include: