We have known that cost has been one of the barriers to accessing dental care. This is especially relevant to low socio-economic status. In other cases, there was no availability of service, so the physical availability of services is also important.
From my work and from discussions in our association, there is yet another barrier that is not generally talked about. It is the mistrust of certain population groups and patients of the health care system and the stories of discrimination and racism that exist. How do we build systems that support providers in building trusting relationships with patients and vice versa so there's no hesitancy when cost is not the barrier? How do we move forward in a way that is respectful of the patient? That becomes especially important when we are reversing cost-related barriers.