Breaking the cycle: how poverty affects children’s oral health in developing nations - a rapid review

Setiawan, Arlette Suzy and Indriyanti, Ratna and Sukmasari, Susi (2025) Breaking the cycle: how poverty affects children’s oral health in developing nations - a rapid review. Frontiers in Public Health, 13 (1). pp. 1-11. E-ISSN 2296-2565

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Abstract

Background: Oral diseases remain a significant public health challenge worldwide, disproportionately impacting children in developing countries due to socioeconomic hardship and limited healthcare access. Purpose: This rapid review evaluates the relationship between low household income and children’s oral health outcomes in developing countries. Method: We followed PRISMA 2020 and Cochrane Rapid Review guidelines. A systematic search of five databases (2012–2022) using refined keywords identified eligible studies. Quality assessment used the NIH tool. Results: Of 1,574 articles identified, 13 met inclusion criteria. Most were cross-sectional studies from China, India, Nigeria, Brazil, and Syria. A consistent association was found between lower socioeconomic status and worse oral health outcomes, including higher DMFT/dmft scores, gingivitis, and early childhood caries (ECC). Conclusion: Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with worse oral health outcomes in children in developing countries.

Item Type:	Article (Review)
Additional Information:	6171/123445
Uncontrolled Keywords:	oral health status, children, socioeconomic factors, poverty, developing countries
Subjects:	R Medicine > RK Dentistry
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Dentistry Kulliyyah of Dentistry > Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health
Depositing User:	Dr. Susi Sukmasari
Date Deposited:	02 Oct 2025 14:24
Last Modified:	02 Oct 2025 14:25
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/123445

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