Oral health outcomes among populations living in informal urban, rural, and refugee settlements: a systematic review and meta-analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4322/bds.2026.e5052Abstract
Aim: To assess oral health outcomes among populations living in informal urban, rural, and refugee settlements. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 reporting guidelines and followed the methodological guidance of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Electronic searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, LILACS, Scopus, and PsycINFO up to October 12, 2024. Observational studies evaluating oral health outcomes among individuals residing in socially vulnerable settlements were eligible for inclusion. Study selection and risk of bias assessment were independently conducted using the JBI critical appraisal checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies. Data were narratively synthesized. When methodological homogeneity was identified, meta-analyses of dichotomous outcomes were performed using a random-effects model. Pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated, and statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 statistic. Results: The search identified 1,204 records, of which nine studies met the inclusion criteria. The included studies were conducted in South Africa, India, Israel, Greece, and Brazil, and primarily involved children, adolescents, and adults living in socially vulnerable settlement contexts. The main oral health outcomes assessed were dental caries, periodontal conditions, dental pain, and self-perceived oral health. Meta-analysis demonstrated that 84.46% (95% CI: 75.09–91.93; I 2 = 85.15%) of participants had experience of dental caries, 44.74% (95% CI: 38.84–50.72; I 2 = 69.26%) reported dental pain, and 62.81% (95% CI: 41.44–81.84; I 2 = 97.62%) reported negative self-rated oral health. Conclusion: Populations living in socially vulnerable settlements experience a substantial burden of dental caries, dental pain, and negative self-rated oral health. Structural vulnerabilities and barriers to accessing oral health services likely contribute to these unfavorable outcomes. Further well-designed longitudinal studies using standardized diagnostic criteria are needed to strengthen the evidence base in this field.
KEYWORDS
Dental health surveys; Human settlements; Oral health; Social determinants of health; Systematic review.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Sofia Bauer Rieger, Luiz Evaristo Ricci Volpato, Ariane Paredes de Sousa Gil, João Guilherme Medeiros Leite, Lucas Guimarães Abreu
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