Honors Theses
Advisor
Arne Romanowski, Ph.D.
Department
Global Languages and Cultures
Publication Date
4-22-2026
Document Type
Honors Thesis
Abstract
Oral health disparities remain a significant global public health concern, particularly among economically and socially marginalized populations. This study investigates the structural, socioeconomic, and cultural determinants that influence access to dental care across these two populations. Guatemala represents a context where poverty, limited healthcare infrastructure, and geographic isolation restrict access to preventive dental services, often resulting in treatment-seeking only during advanced stages of disease. In contrast, Hispanic/Latinx communities in the United States encounter barriers shaped by language differences, lack of dental insurance, immigration-related concerns, and systemic inequities within the healthcare system. This research employs a mixed-methods approach that integrates secondary data from public health organizations with primary survey data collected from individuals in Guatemala and from students, faculty, and community members in Southwest Ohio. Quantitative and descriptive analyses were used to examine patterns in dental care utilization, oral health behaviors, prevalence of tooth extraction, and perceived barriers to accessing care. Preliminary findings suggest that although the underlying causes differ across national contexts, both populations experience limited access to preventive dental care and a higher reliance on treatment-based interventions. By comparing oral health outcomes across borders, this study highlights how social determinants such as income, education, language accessibility, and healthcare infrastructure shape oral health inequities. The findings underscore the importance of culturally responsive dental care, expanded preventive health programs, and policy-level interventions aimed at reducing disparities and improving oral health equity among underserved populations.
Permission Statement
This item is protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) and may only be used for noncommercial, educational, and scholarly purposes.
Keywords
Undergraduate research
eCommons Citation
Bartolon Perez, Yeimi, "Crossing Borders: Ways to Address Oral Health Disparities in Guatemala and U.S. Latinx Communities" (2026). Honors Theses. 496.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/uhp_theses/496
COinS
