PUBLICATION
Mapping the Health Divide: LGBTQIA+ Oral Health and the Role of Policy Inclusion
This report from CareQuest Institute and AIDPH provides a state-level analysis of transgender and cisgender queer people’s access to dental care, general health indicators, oral health indicators, and social drivers of health. The authors write:
“The evidence presented throughout this report clearly indicates that LGBTQIA+ people, particularly transgender and queer youth, face significant and persistent barriers to achieving optimal oral, mental, and general health.”
People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, agender/asexual, and other gender/sexual identities (LGBTQIA+) have long faced discrimination from US health care systems, including dental care. Many also encounter challenges such as financial instability and mental health issues, which can affect their oral health. The findings in this report demonstrate that, in addition to inclusive policies, care delivery systems must ensure safety, visibility, and belonging to improve health outcomes for queer patients.
Key Takeaways:
States with discriminatory policies had more negative outcomes for social, mental, and oral health among transgender youth compared to states with protective policies.
Even in states with strong protections, queer patients continue to report disproportionate levels of unmet need, underscoring the reality that legal protections alone are not enough.
Queer youth, and transgender youth, in particular, in states with discriminatory policies, report lower dental utilization rates compared to states with inclusive or protective policies.
Transgender adults consistently experience the highest rates of tooth loss, especially in states with exclusionary policies.
Suggested Citation: The American Public Institute of Dental Public Health and CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. Mapping the Health Divide: LGBTQIA+ Oral Health and the Role of Policy Inclusion. Boston, MA: January 2026. DOI: 10.35565/CQI.2025.2008 © 2026 The American Institute of Dental Public Health and CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, Inc.
