Social Determinants of Oral Health — NDEB AFK MCQ

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ModerateCommunity Dentistry & EpidemiologySocial Determinants of Oral HealthNDEB AFK

In a cross-sectional study of dental caries in a Canadian community, the prevalence of untreated decay is found to be higher in lower-income families. Which term best describes this association?

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Correct answer: A — Health disparity (social determinant of health)

The association between lower income and higher prevalence of untreated dental decay represents a health disparity linked to social determinants of health. Income is a well-established social determinant affecting access to dental care, dietary quality, oral health literacy, and preventive behaviours. Canadian data consistently shows a gradient where lower socioeconomic status is associated with worse oral health outcomes. This is not a bias but a true population-level association.

Reference: PHAC – Report on the State of Oral Health in Canada; Burt & Eklund – Dentistry, Dental Practice, and the Community, 7th ed., 2005