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Call for papers - Resolving inequalities through oral health literacy

Guest Editors

Arheiam Arheiam, BDS, MSc, PhD, DDPH RCS (Eng.), University of Benghazi, Libya
Rafael Aiello Bomfim, PhD, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Brazil
Arash Ghanbarzadegan, DDS, MPH, PhD, Sydney Dental School, The University of Sydney, Australia

Submission Status: Open   |   Submission Deadline: 6 November 2024

BMC Oral Health is calling for papers for its new Collection, Resolving inequalities through oral health literacy. This Collection seeks contributions exploring innovative strategies to address disparities in oral health through enhanced health literacy. Submissions may cover topics such as community-based initiatives, digital health solutions, cultural competence in oral health education, and inclusive, patient-centered approaches to global oral health. 

New Content ItemThis Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 10: Reducing Inequalities.

Meet the Guest Editors

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Arheiam Arheiam, BDS, MSc, PhD, DDPH RCS (Eng.), University of Benghazi, Libya

Dr Arheiam Arheiam is an associate professor of dental public health and preventive dentistry at the University of Benghazi. He obtained his PhD from the University of Liverpool in the UK. Throughout his career, Dr Arheiam has served on several committees and academic positions, including the dean of the dental school, the founding president of the Libya section of The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR), and a founding member of the Early Childhood Caries Advocacy Group (ECCAG). Currently, he holds the position of director of the postgraduate program in dental public health and possesses considerable experience in research focused on oral epidemiology, inequalities, quality of life, and self-reported outcomes.
 

Rafael Aiello Bomfim, PhD, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Brazil

Dr Rafael Bomfim graduated in Dentistry from the University of São Paulo USP-SP and earned a Master's and PhD in Preventive Dentistry (FO-USP), and a Postdoc in Public Health (2020) at the Public Health School, Brazil (FSP-USP). Since 2014, he has served as a professor at the School of Dentistry at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. He has experience in the areas of Public Health and Dentistry, acting mainly on the following themes: Implementation Science, Fluoridation of public water supply, Epidemiology and Public Health, Health Services Research, Nutrition and Health Inequities.
 

Arash Ghanbarzadegan, DDS, MPH, PhD, Sydney Dental School, The University of Sydney, Australia

Dr Arash Ghanbarzadegan is a lecturer at the University of Sydney and holds an Honorary Adjunct Lecturer position at the University of Adelaide. During his doctoral and post-doctoral research at the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, he investigated socioeconomic inequalities within Australian dental service sectors. Dr Ghanbarzadegan introduced a novel conceptual model, the "Triangle of Inequality in Dental Services," to address dental service disparities. He modified sensitivity analysis approaches for counterfactual multiple mediation, employing the Ratio of Mediator Probability Weighting (RMPW) approach. His research focuses on evidence-based policy, oral health services, digital health, and inequality in vulnerable populations, with a specific focus on older adults.

About the Collection

BMC Oral Health is pleased to announce a new Collection focused on Resolving inequalities through oral health literacy. Health literacy, which involves individuals' ability to access, understand, and use health information for decision-making, significantly predicts their health, health behavior, and outcomes, including communication and decision-making skills. Inequalities in health literacy worsen health disparities, meaning there is a need to improve access and understanding of health information for fair and equal well-being. This Collection aims to explore innovative approaches, strategies, and research findings that address disparities in oral health through the lens of health literacy.

The Resolving inequalities through oral health literacy Collection welcomes submissions that cover a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

  • Oral health interventions: Exploring novel approaches and interventions to improve oral health literacy among diverse populations.
  • Community-based initiatives: Showcasing community-driven projects focusing on enhancing oral health literacy and reducing inequalities in oral health outcomes.
  • Digital health solutions: Investigating the role of technology, digital tools, and online platforms in promoting oral health literacy and addressing disparities.
  • Cultural competence in oral health education: Examining strategies for culturally competent oral health education that recognizes and respects diverse cultural backgrounds.
  • Health equity and access to oral care: Discussing initiatives and policies that contribute to reducing disparities in access to oral care services through improved health literacy.
  • Collaborative partnerships: Sharing experiences of successful collaborations between oral health professionals, educators, policymakers, and community stakeholders in addressing oral health inequalities.
  • Inclusive and patient-centered approaches: Exploring methods to ensure inclusivity and prioritize patient-centered approaches in oral health education and communication.
  • Evaluating impact: Presenting research findings on the effectiveness and impact of oral health literacy initiatives on reducing oral health inequalities.
  • Global oral health: Examining the broader implications and strategies for promoting oral health on a global scale, considering diverse populations and international collaborations.

This Collection aligns with our commitment to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. Submissions should emphasize the role of oral health literacy in promoting equitable access to oral care, improving health outcomes, and contributing to overall well-being.

Image credit: Svitlana Hulko / Getty Images / iStock

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select Resolving inequalities through oral health literacy from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.