摘要：Socio-economic inequalities in oral health are recognized globally, exist both in developed and developing countries, and have gained substantial attention. (1-3) For example, 2013 marked the inception of the International Centre for Oral Health Inequalities Research and Policy (ICOHIRP) and the subsequent release of the London Charter on Oral Health Inequalities in 2015. (3) Systematic monitoring and research on the mechanisms behind oral health gradients is also part of the International Association of Dental Research Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Agenda (IADR-GOHIRA). (4)
Socio-economic gradients in oral health are often attributed to factors such as occupation, social class, income and education; among which, income and education are most commonly utilized. (5) The potential contribution of income to oral health inequalities can be explained by increased acquisition of material resources with increased income (financial access to care), (6) whereas education allows for the acquisition of non-material resources (such as knowledge) that promote healthy behaviours and better navigation of health resources. (6) However, the relative contribution of education to the income gradient in oral health outcomes, and that of income to the education gradient in oral health outcomes, remains unclear. This is a fundamental consideration given that this knowledge can help determine what policy approaches may best narrow gaps and/or reduce oral health inequalities between social groups. For example, if income is dominant in explaining education gradients, then policies that impact income inequality are more germane to the goal of reducing inequalities in oral health; while if education is dominant in explaining income gradients, then policies based in knowledge acquisition may be best in achieving the same.
