Original Article
ORAL HYGIENE PRACTICES AMONG ECONOMICALLY MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS
1 Research Scholar, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Department of Doctorate in Nursing and Public Health, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
2 Department of Social Dentistry and Gnathological Rehabilitation, National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (NIHMP), Roma, Italy
3 National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (NIHMP), Rome, Italy
4 Faculty of Medicine and Surgery - Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
5 University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
Correspondence to:
Research scholar in the Public Health and Nursing Sciences PhD program,
Faculty of Medicine and Surgery,
Department of Biomedicine and Prevention,
University of Rome Tor Vergata,
Rome, Italy
Annals of Stomatology 2026 January-April 6(1): 1-18
https://doi.org/10.69129/stomatol/2026v6iss1_4
Received: 4 December 2025 Accepted: 16 January 2026
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Abstract
Economically disadvantaged groups, including migrants, refugees, and low-income individuals, face a disproportionate burden of oral health problems due to persistent financial barriers, cultural marginalization, and limited access to preventive dental care. These challenges often undermine their ability to maintain routine oral hygiene, increasing vulnerability to periodontal disease and tooth loss, with consequences that extend beyond oral health to overall well-being. This study examines oral hygiene behaviors and periodontal health among socioeconomically marginalized patients attending the Department of Social Dentistry at the National Institute for Health, Migration, and Poverty (NIHMP) in Rome, Italy. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through structured questionnaires (n = 170), qualitative interviews exploring oral hygiene habits, and clinical periodontal assessments (n = 70). The results reveal striking gaps in preventive oral care: 68% of participants used improper toothbrushing techniques, 45% reported inconsistent dental attendance, and 64% had moderate-to-severe periodontal disease. These findings suggest that insufficient daily oral hygiene is less a matter of individual behavior and more a manifestation of systemic inequities. The study emphasizes the urgent need for culturally informed, accessible, and community-based oral health interventions and highlights critical implications for clinical practice, public health policy, and equity-driven health reform.
Keywords: community dental services, dental health inequities, healthcare accessibility, oral health promotion, oral hygiene, periodontal disease, preventive oral care, socioeconomic determinants, vulnerable populations