How Neoliberalism Shapes Indigenous Oral Health Inequalities Globally: Examples from Five Countries

Abstract

Evidence suggests that countries with neoliberal political and economic philosophical underpinnings have greater health inequalities compared to less neoliberal countries. But few studies examine how neoliberalism specifically impacts health inequalities involving highly vulnerable populations, such as Indigenous groups. Even fewer take this perspective from an oral health viewpoint. From a lens of indigenous groups in five countries (the United States, Canada, Australia, Aotearoa/New Zealand and Norway), this commentary provides critical insights of how neoliberalism, in domains including colonialism, racism, inter-generational trauma and health service provision, shapes oral health inequalities among Indigenous societies at a global level. We posit that all socially marginalised groups are disadvantaged under neoliberalism agendas, but that this is amplified among Indigenous groups because of ongoing legacies of colonialism, institutional racism and intergenerational trauma.

A Global Perspective of Racial–Ethnic Inequities in Dental Caries: Protocol of Systematic Review

“…Although inequities in dental caries are only one of many adverse health outcomes experienced by racially and ethnically minoritized groups, it is preventable. Government-led initiatives that identify and deconstruct neoliberal political governance processes that overtly benefit the major population (typically White) at the expense of non-White groups is a key way in which many health inequities, oral health included, can be eradicated [51].…”

A Cost Analysis of an Outreach School-Based Dental Program: Teeth on Wheels

“…Furthermore, more effort is needed to reduce oral health inequities for Indigenous Australians [ 29 , 30 ]. National statistics indicate that the differences in the prevalence of untreated dental caries among Indigenous Australian children are profound, at almost a two-fold burden compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts [ 14 ].…”

The Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples around the Globe: Ensuring and Promoting Best Practice in Research

“…Studies in the Special Issue arose in a variety of ways. Some were investigator-driven, based on the results of previous research and/or discussions with various stakeholders over many years [ 7 , 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 21 , 25 , 26 , 29 , 32 , 36 , 37 ]. Other studies reflected the priorities of government agencies, either through alignment with articulated strategies or through commissioned work [ 24 , 25 , 33 ].…”

“…The resulting Special Issue includes 31 papers in total, with 21 from Australia [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ], 4 from the United States [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ], 3 from Aotearoa/New Zealand [ 32 , 33 , 34 ], 1 from Canada [ 35 ], and 2 from authors in multiple countries [ 36 , 37 ]. This represents a substantial body of research on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous and Tribal peoples, possibly the largest collection ever published.…”