Dental Disparities: An Analysis of Dental Caries Risk Factors Promoting Disparities Between Rural and Urban Communities in Nebraska

The prevalence of dental caries in the United States remains a public health concern, as it is one of the most common chronic conditions across people of all ages. Research shows that preventative measures including brushing, fluoridated water, and regular checkups are effective strategies to mitigate tooth decay. However, there appears to be a divide between rural and urban populations, as the presence of dental cavities is significantly greater in remote areas in the State of Nebraska. Research methods used in this analysis included analyzing accredited academic literature to illustrate how cavities form from a biochemical perspective. Research methods also will include pulling demographic information and statistics from the State of Nebraska for analyzation of the divide between the rural and urban communities, as well as pulling dental treatment and food insecurity programs from various websites. The goal of this project is not to conduct a new research study, but rather to understand why cavities may form and highlight discrepancies amongst rural and urban Nebraska communities found from other studies in hopes of raising public awareness. The results from the analysis of literature and data demonstrate that fluoridated water, dietary habits, socioeconomic status, and accessibility to dental care appear to be contributing factors to this divide.