title: Self-reported oral health among a community sample of people experiencing social and health inequities: cross-sectional findings from a study to enhance equity in primary healthcare settings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the self-reported oral health issues among a community sample of primary care clients experiencing socioeconomic disadvantages.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of a larger mixed-methods, multiple case study evaluating an equity-oriented primary healthcare intervention, we examined the oral health of a sample of 567 people receiving care at four clinics that serve marginalised populations in two Canadian provinces. Data collected included self-rated oral health and experiences accessing and receiving healthcare, standard self-report measures of health and quality of life, and sociodemographic information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of self-rated poor oral health was high, with almost half (46.3%) of the participants reporting poor or fair oral health. Significant relationships were observed between poor oral health and vulnerabilities related to mental health, trauma and housing instability. Our findings suggest that the oral health of some Canadian populations may be dramatically worse than what is reported in existing population health surveys.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings reinforce the importance of addressing oral health as part of health equity strategies. The health and oral health issues experienced by this client cohort highlight the need for interdisciplinary, team-based care that can address the intersections among people's health status, oral health and social issues.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Annette J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Varcoe
authors.affiliation: Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ford-Gilboe
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Information & Media Studies, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wathen
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Phoebe M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D057566:Self Report; D035862:Vulnerable Populations; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Health equity; Marginalized populations; Oral health; Social determinants of health