University Archives

IRB Number: 25-26-27

This paper explores four published articles that investigate barriers to oral healthcare access, utilization, and outcomes among the dental school population. According to Subramaniam and Muthukrishnan, fear and anxiety significantly impact dental care access for special needs patients, requiring tailored communication and patient management strategies. Breivik et al. highlight physical and cognitive challenges faced by dependent older adults, emphasizing the need for adaptive care techniques. Hill et al. report ongoing cost concerns, dental anxiety, and poor communication as major barriers in the general adult population. Finally, Hillebrecht et al. compare caregiver challenges across dependent groups, revealing shared deficits in oral health knowledge and structural limitations. This paper suggests that understanding these diverse barriers can inform more inclusive dental care strategies for vulnerable populations.