Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40899138›Full record

SynthesisCommunity dentistry and oral epidemiology2026

A Systematic Review of the Facilitators and Challenges as Perceived by Dental Service Providers in the Provision of Oral Healthcare for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations.

Sudheer Babu Balla, Nikolaos Angelakopoulos, Jyothi Tadakamadla, Santosh Kumar Tadakamadla

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Community dentistry and oral epidemiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Sudheer Babu BallaDentistry and Oral Health, La Trobe Rural Health School, Bendigo, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-0977-3889
Nikolaos AngelakopoulosDepartment of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0001-8511-4645
Jyothi TadakamadlaDentistry and Oral Health, La Trobe Rural Health School, Bendigo, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-2518-6476
Santosh Kumar TadakamadlaDentistry and Oral Health, La Trobe Rural Health School, Bendigo, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-2775-2897

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesVulnerable groups, particularly those from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, face heightened risks of poor oral health. There is a notable gap in systematically analysing the facilitators and challenges dental service providers face in meeting the needs of patients from CALD backgrounds. This study, therefore, sought to systematically review existing literature to address this gap and provide insights into the factors that influence dental service provision for CALD communities.

methodsA comprehensive search of six electronic databases was conducted to identify facilitators and challenges in oral healthcare provision. Database searches covered January 1985 to May 2025 (last updated 31 May 2025). A meta-integration approach was employed to synthesise qualitative and quantitative findings. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Data organisation followed Ferlie and Shortell's healthcare model, with key themes identified via thematic analysis.

resultsThirteen papers were included in this review, comprising three quantitative and 10 qualitative studies, sourced from diverse countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, Germany, the United States and Canada. Article quality varied from moderate to high. Although individual-level factors such as cultural beliefs and language barriers, impacted dental service provision and rigid organisational structures also served as a significant challenge. Structural/system-level challenges included policy implementation gaps, insufficient cross-cultural training for dental providers and affordability issues.

conclusionThe evidence from dental service providers in diverse settings suggests they encounter several challenges when providing dental care to CALD communities. In summary, delivering culturally sensitive oral healthcare is inherently complex. Policymakers must acknowledge that addressing the needs of CALD patients necessitates establishing supportive environments and strengthening institutional capabilities.

Indexed as

Cultural DiversityDental CareDental Health ServicesCommunication BarriersHumansLanguageOral HealthVulnerable PopulationsCALDchallengesdental service providersmixed methodoral healthcaresystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40899138
PMCPMC12808864

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.