Community-Based Oral Health Interventions for Underserved Populations: Integrating Prevention, Education, and Policy

Oral diseases remain among the most prevalent chronic conditions worldwide, disproportionately affecting populations with limited access to care. Socioeconomic inequality, low health literacy, and workforce shortages continue to widen this gap, particularly in rural and low-resource communities. Community-based oral health interventions, such as school sealant programs, maternal and child health prevention models, and mobile dental clinics, have emerged as cost-effective strategies for delivering preventive and early care. However, despite their proven success, many of these initiatives remain fragmented, under-evaluated, and poorly integrated into national health systems. This Research Topic aims to advance interdisciplinary dialogue and to present replicable, evidence-based approaches that link clinical dentistry, public health, and policy innovation to improve oral health equity and long-term sustainability.The primary goal of this Research Topic is to consolidate global evidence and innovations that strengthen community-level oral health systems. We aim to highlight research demonstrating measurable improvements in preventive care, patient outcomes, and community empowerment through sustainable, locally-led programs. By encouraging submissions that combine epidemiological insight, behavioural science, and implementation research, this collection seeks to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world practice.Ultimately, this initiative strives to inform national and regional policies, promote interprofessional collaboration, and inspire the next generation of community oral health leaders. By framing oral health as a core component of primary healthcare and social well-being, this collection will help redefine preventive dentistry as an essential pillar of global health equity and resilience.We invite submissions including original research, reviews, short communications, and policy analyses addressing:• Community-based prevention and oral-health education programs• School, maternal, and elderly oral-health initiatives• Teledentistry, AI, and mobile-care applications for rural outreach• Integration of oral health into primary-care and public-health systems• Sociocultural and behavioural determinants influencing care utilisation• Evaluation of cost-effectiveness, outcomes, and scalabilityWe especially welcome interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaborations that unite clinicians, educators, policymakers, and public health researchers. Submissions that present measurable community impact, innovative service models, or novel frameworks for underserved and low-resource populations are encouraged. Through this collection, Frontiers in Oral Health will highlight pioneering strategies that advance preventive, accessible, and equitable oral-healthcare systems worldwide. Topic editors: Paul Eke, Jeffrey Fellows Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81645/community-based-oral-health-interventions-for-underserved-populations-integrating-prevention-education-and-policy