Quantitative and geospatial analysis of oral healthcare disparities in rural and urban populations

Background: Oral health is a vital component of general health and quality of life, directly influencing nutrition, communication, and productivity. However, significant disparities persist in access to and utilization of oral healthcare services between rural and urban populations in developing nations such as India. This study aimed to quantitatively assess and geospatially map oral healthcare disparities across five dimensions—accessibility, availability, affordability, acceptability, and accommodation—in rural and urban populations of Lucknow, India. Methods: A cross-sectional, comparative design was employed involving 250 participants (125 rural and 125 urban residents). Data were collected through a validated 28-item questionnaire evaluating oral healthcare determinants. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression to identify predictors of service utilization. Geospatial analysis was conducted using QGIS software to visualize clinic density and spatial distribution within a 60 km radius of both urban and rural zones. Results: Marked disparities were observed across all five dimensions: Availability: Urban regions had 56 dental clinics within a 60 km radius compared to only 28 in rural areas Accessibility: 85% of urban residents lived within 1 km of a dental clinic, whereas 68% of rural participants resided over 10 km away Affordability: Cost-related barriers prevented care-seeking in 50% of rural respondents versus 20% of urban respondents Acceptability: Cultural and attitudinal barriers were lower in rural areas (50%) compared to urban (70%) Predictors: Logistic regression indicated that proximity (OR = 3.5, p = 0.001) and affordability (OR = 1.7, p = 0.025) were significant determinants of oral healthcare utilization. Conclusions: Substantial oral healthcare disparities exist between rural and urban communities in Lucknow, with rural populations facing pronounced barriers in accessibility, affordability, and cultural acceptability. Policy measures should prioritize mobile dental units, subsidized services, tele-dentistry expansion, and community-based oral health promotion to bridge the urban–rural divide and promote equitable oral health outcomes.