By Danielle 
A new study published in the National Library of Medicine in late September finds that “dental shame” can deter people, especially older adults from seeking oral-health treatment.
The research was conducted by Louise Folker, Esben Boeskov Øzhayat and Astrid Pernille Jespersen of the University of Copenhagen; Luna Dolezal of the University of Exeter; community volunteer Lyndsey Withers; Martha Paisi of the University of Plymouth’s Peninsula Dental School; and dentist Christina Wörle.
The University of Copenhagen team is part of Lifelong Oral Health, a project examining barriers to oral health among older adults in Danish long-term care. The researchers identified dental shame as a significant factor in those settings. Professor Dolezal leads the Shame and Medicine research project at the University of Exeter.
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“Shame can help explain why some people don’t like to expose their teeth to dentists or tell them they smoke or have a poor diet,” Dolezal said in a statement from the university.
The study found that systemic inequities in dental care contribute to dental shame, and that health-care fee structures can worsen it.
“Because our teeth are highly visible and central to our overall appearance and well-being, dental shame affects self-esteem, social interactions, access to the labour market, care systems and social services,” Dolezal said. “This downward spiral concerns not only oral health but also various other aspects of life. It is important to have non-judgmental environments where patients feel trustful and empowered to prioritise their oral health.”