Evaluation of oral health status and barriers in access to oral care services among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community: A pilot study

Objectives: The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+ (LGBTQ+) community faces significant barriers to healthcare, including oral health services, due to stigma, discrimination, and socioeconomic factors. Limited data exist on their oral health status and access to dental care, particularly in India. This pilot study evaluates the oral health status and barriers to oral care services among LGBTQ+ individuals in Nagpur, India. Material and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted with 50 self-identified LGBTQ+ individuals recruited through snowball sampling. Oral health status was assessed using the World Health Organization Oral Health Questionnaire for Adults (2013) and clinical examinations, including Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, Community Periodontal Index (CPI), and evaluations for enamel fluorosis, dental trauma, and erosion. Barriers to dental care were explored through focus group discussions (FGDs) with 6–12 participants per session and were analyzed thematically. Results: The study found a high prevalence of caries (58%) and missing teeth due to caries (2.9%), with 91.18% showing no gingival bleeding, indicating relatively good periodontal health. Enamel fluorosis was normal in 88%, and 70.6% had no dental trauma. Dental erosion was absent in 73.56%. FGDs identified four key barriers: Lack of oral health awareness, discrimination by medical professionals, economic constraints, and social inhibitions/stigma. Conclusion: This study highlights a significant dental disease burden and multiple barriers to oral care among the LGBTQ+ community in Nagpur. Targeted interventions, including awareness campaigns and culturally sensitive training for healthcare providers, are essential to reduce oral health disparities in this population.