For children living in the border region of California, oral health needs like toothaches and cavities are exacerbated by a limited number of dental providers, declining rates of health coverage, and the current climate of anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric that threatens the well-being of many families.
We know that good oral health in children is linked to overall health and academic opportunity, yet for too many children in the border region, multiple social determinants, including poverty, family education level, and immigration status, hinder access to oral health care—factors that are uniquely compounded for children living in the border region.
In partnership with community organizations and providers in San Diego and Imperial Counties, we sought to better understand the state of oral health care for children, and especially children in immigrant families, living in the region.
In Supporting Oral Health Care Access for Children Living in the Border Region, we document the unique challenges in supporting the oral health needs of children in the region and provide recommendations for ensuring all families, regardless of immigration status, can safely access quality oral health care.
