As we evaluate the deep inequities in health care access and outcomes, recent data demand greater urgency in addressing oral health equity — particularly among Hispanic communities, which are disproportionately impacted.

A recent white paper from CareQuest Institute for Oral Health and the Hispanic Dental Association highlights these disparities, including that Hispanic children have the highest decayed and filled teeth prevalence compared to other children in that age group and approximately 15% of Hispanic adults aged 65 or over have no teeth. Hispanics also reported higher percentages of being treated for gum disease than other racial or ethnic groups.

The Hispanic community comprises 19% of the U.S. population, making this a significant part of our population being treated poorly by our current system. It’s a community that has a rich diversity that includes different needs and life experiences. For example, Hispanics of Mexican origin have the highest uninsured rates, whereas the rates for Puerto Ricans and Cubans are only about half the rates for Mexicans.

Empowering individuals in these communities to be part of driving the changes needed is an essential part of the solution. That’s why CareQuest Institute’s grantmaking invests in the organizations and people within the communities it seeks to empower.

One of those grantees is Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, which serves Washington and Yamhill counties with a special emphasis on migrant and seasonal farmworkers and others with barriers to receiving health care. They are rooted in the community and are breaking down systemic barriers and finding innovative ways to improve the community’s health.

Oral health is linked to systemic health and oral health disparities go much farther than the mouth — they impact the overall health and wellness of entire communities. At Virginia Garcia, dentists are integrating screenings for chronic diseases into their care and developing care plans that consider the whole person. Not only does oral health have direct links to chronic diseases, including diabetes and heart disease, it also impacts mental health and well-being. The Hispanic population is more likely to experience such chronic conditions. According to the CDC, US adults overall have a 40% chance of developing type 2 diabetes. But if you’re a Hispanic or Latino adult, your chance is more than 50%, and you’re likely to develop it at a younger age.

To treat people as a whole, we need to bridge the gaps between oral and overall health systems and start integrating medical and dental care, including better integrating electronic health records so dentists and primary care providers can share and access pertinent patient information.

As the industry continues to face a workforce crisis, this is also a critical opportunity to increase representation. The recent paper notes that Hispanic individuals continue to be underrepresented among dental professionals nationally, representing approximately 6% of U.S. dentists and 10.7% of dental hygienists.

Virginia Garcia has invested heavily in the community by supporting opportunities for staff and community members to become dental assistants, medical assistants and pharmacy technicians. Recently, it also began working with a local school district to help create a dental assistance training program for high school students, many of whom are bilingual and bicultural students.

While these are fantastic examples of the role of community engagement in health care transformation, individual clinics cannot break systemic barriers alone. To make real progress, we must demand systemic solutions. Medical schools, dental schools, community health centers, and policymakers must work together to develop training programs, establish referral networks, and create policies that support increased access and integrated care models.

Reducing barriers to oral care must also include more significant efforts to increase diversity in dentistry and increase education around culturally competent care.

This approach recognizes the value of oral health in the broader context of health care. It honors the diversity and resilience of Hispanic communities, creating a healthier and more equitable future for all.

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