Theses and Dissertations
Issuing Body
Mississippi State University
Advisor
Hoffman, David M.
Committee Member
Copeland, Toni J.
Committee Member
Hardin, James W.
Committee Member
Travis, Rick
Date of Degree
8-9-2019
Original embargo terms
Visible to MSU only for 3 years
Document Type
Graduate Thesis - Open Access
Major
Applied Anthropology
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
College
College of Arts and Sciences
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures
Department
Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures
Abstract
American’s agree that dental health is important and vital to our overall wellbeing. However, not every American is achieving the same degree of oral health. Obstacles that American’s face include dental health disparities, limited access to affordable dental care, and limited access to dental insurance. This study examined how disease risk is shaped within the culture of oral health in Florida. This study examined those who provide dental care, those who cannot afford dental health insurance but earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid, and those with dental insurance. Hypotheses two and three were proven to be true, while hypotheses one and four were proven to be false. Research indicated that the participants believe that pleasingly aesthetic teeth are highly desirable. It revealed that the poor and working poor are unable to utilize dental health insurance, and do not seek annual preventive dental health services due to the cost.
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/11668/14570
Recommended Citation
Hicks, Heather, "The silent epidemic: Disparities and obstacles in obtaining oral care" (2019). Theses and Dissertations. 4653.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/4653
Comments
American’s agree that dental health is important and vital to our overall wellbeing. However, not every American is achieving the same degree of oral health. Obstacles that American’s face include dental health disparities, limited access to affordable dental care, and limited access to dental insurance. This study examined how disease risk is shaped within the culture of oral health in Florida. This study examined those who provide dental care, those who cannot afford dental health insurance but earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid, and those with dental insurance. Hypotheses two and three were proven to be true, while hypotheses one and four were proven to be false. Research indicated that the participants believe that pleasingly aesthetic teeth are highly desirable. It revealed that the poor and working poor are unable to utilize dental health insurance, and do not seek annual preventive dental health services due to the cost.