Food insecurity and homelessness are associated with worse oral health among emerging adult college students

Emerging adulthood (approximately ages 18–25) represents a critical developmental period when lifelong health behaviors are established. Food insecurity and homelessness are disproportionately common among college students compared with emerging adults in the general population, and oral healthcare is often less utilized among this population. Past research has identified associations between basic needs insecurity and adverse oral health outcomes, but minimal research explores these relationships among college students. This study examines associations between food insecurity, homelessness, and oral health among undergraduate students at two public universities in California. Participants ( N = 2,068) aged 18–24 years completed surveys on demographic variables, food insecurity, homelessness, and oral health indicators, including self-rated oral health, time since last dental exam or cleaning, and gum bleeding in the past 12 months. Logistic regression models adjusted for sex, work status, race/ethnicity, age, study site, and household income to quantify associations between food insecurity, homelessness, and oral health outcomes. Among all respondents, 10% reported experiencing past-year homelessness and 36% reported past 30-day food insecurity. After covariable adjustment, both homelessness and food insecurity were associated with higher odds of reporting poor or fair oral health. Food insecurity was associated with double the odds of not having a past-year dental exam or cleaning (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.6– 2.6). Food insecurity and homelessness were associated with adverse oral health outcomes among emerging adult college students at public universities in California. Integrating oral health promotion and preventive care into campus-based basic needs and student wellness initiatives may improve the overall health of college students.