TOOTH LOSS AND THE SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECT OF VULNERABLE EDENTULOUS PATIENTS AT THE NIHMP DENTAL CLINIC IN ROME, ITALY

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 University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy

Correspondence to:

Annals of Stomatology 2025 May-August 5(3): 118-127
https://doi.org/10.69129/stomatol/2025v5iss3_18

Received: 11 August 2025 Accepted: 16 September 2025

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Abstract

Tooth loss is a widespread health issue with significant implications for both physical and mental well-being, especially among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Recognizing this, the study focuses on the relationship between tooth loss and socioeconomic determinants, such as income, education, and access to healthcare, in patients from the NIHMP Social Dental Clinic in Rome, Italy. Vulnerable populations, particularly migrants and individuals with low economic status, face a heightened risk of tooth loss due to limited access to care and poor oral health behaviors. The study aimed to explore the demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors contributing to tooth loss and to identify targeted interventions to improve oral health outcomes. Employing a mixed-methods design, the research collected qualitative and quantitative data through questionnaires and interviews conducted with a sample of 100 patients from the dental clinic, all of whom were from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Data were analyzed using the SPSS Statistics software program to assess relationships between tooth loss and various factors. The findings show that economically disadvantaged groups face higher rates of tooth loss, often linked to smoking, poor diets, and poor hygiene. Addressing these disparities requires preventive care and public health initiatives to enhance oral hygiene and ensure equitable access to dental services.

Keywords: access to healthcare, healthcare inequities, migrant health, preventive dental care, socioeconomic factors, tooth loss, vulnerable populations