The Economics of Dental Insurance: Addressing Oral Health Disparities in Low-Income Communities
Honors Capstone Project
1
Advisor(s)
Capstone Advisor - Dr. Timothy Koneval
Honors Advisor - Dr. Jennifer Moore
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Paper
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
8-4-2025 4:30 PM
End Date
8-4-2025 4:45 PM
Abstract
Dental insurance, or lack thereof, can be a significant determinant of oral health. Adequate insurance can provide someone with access to routine and advanced dental care. Sometimes, this is the difference between a simple filling and an invasive surgery. Access to dental care remains a critical issue for low-income and underserved communities, where financial barriers often limit treatment options. Unlike general healthcare, dental care and dental insurance are frequently excluded from standard medical insurance plans, forcing many individuals to rely on employer-sponsored dental coverage or public assistance programs with limited benefits. This project will focus on preventative, restorative, and emergency dental care disparities with special emphasis on identifying how dental insurance coverage correlates with oral health outcomes in low-income areas. Additionally, it will address how limited coverage in both public and private insurance models contribute to the aforementioned disparities, the possibility of including broader dental coverage that includes preventative, restorative, and emergency dental care, and propose solutions to expand access to dental care and dental insurance for underserved communities. By highlighting the inconsistencies in dental insurance through a comprehensive essay, this project will contribute to the broader discussion of healthcare equity. The findings will offer insight into strategies that could help bridge the gap in dental care access, ultimately working toward a more inclusive and effective oral healthcare system.
Recommended Citation
Mentrak, Lucy, "The Economics of Dental Insurance: Addressing Oral Health Disparities in Low-Income Communities" (2025). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 12.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2025/Papers/12
Restricted
Available to ONU community via local IP address and ONU login.
The Economics of Dental Insurance: Addressing Oral Health Disparities in Low-Income Communities
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Dental insurance, or lack thereof, can be a significant determinant of oral health. Adequate insurance can provide someone with access to routine and advanced dental care. Sometimes, this is the difference between a simple filling and an invasive surgery. Access to dental care remains a critical issue for low-income and underserved communities, where financial barriers often limit treatment options. Unlike general healthcare, dental care and dental insurance are frequently excluded from standard medical insurance plans, forcing many individuals to rely on employer-sponsored dental coverage or public assistance programs with limited benefits. This project will focus on preventative, restorative, and emergency dental care disparities with special emphasis on identifying how dental insurance coverage correlates with oral health outcomes in low-income areas. Additionally, it will address how limited coverage in both public and private insurance models contribute to the aforementioned disparities, the possibility of including broader dental coverage that includes preventative, restorative, and emergency dental care, and propose solutions to expand access to dental care and dental insurance for underserved communities. By highlighting the inconsistencies in dental insurance through a comprehensive essay, this project will contribute to the broader discussion of healthcare equity. The findings will offer insight into strategies that could help bridge the gap in dental care access, ultimately working toward a more inclusive and effective oral healthcare system.