Impact of climate change on dentistry and oral health: a scoping review

Abstract

Background: Direct effects of climate change on different domains of general health have been well documented with evidence-based literature; however, the implications for oral health and dentistry have been addressed in different forms of research papers and lack a comprehensive evaluation. Objectives: We aimed to conduct a scoping review of the existing literature to elucidate the connections between the impact of climate change on oral health and dentistry, exploring how environmental shifts can influence dental diseases and practices and offering insights for future dental care using a systematic search strategy. Methods: A systematic search was carried out using keywords in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases. Boolean operators were also used to combine the searches and elaborate the search strategy. We did not apply any restriction of time frame or language to the articles. Summary of findings: A total of 10 papers were included in the final review. The findings from different papers have reported direct/indirect associations of climate change with oral diseases and conditions such as dental caries, dental erosion, and oral cancer; developmental defects of enamel; early childhood caries; periodontal disease; and dental trauma, skeletal, and dental fluorosis. Discussion: The findings synthesize a nascent yet significant body of research exploring how environmental changes driven by climate change impact the dental profession and oral health outcomes. Continued research and policy attention are imperative to address the complex and evolving challenges posed by climate change to oral health.