Abstract
This special article provides the first empirical evidence on the oral health conditions and dental
service experiences among homeless people in Thailand, based on information from the volunteer
spirit activities on medical and dental services to members of the social enterprise project “Work from
Homeless”. On May 20, 2023, a total of 140 project members were most older persons, 130 voluntarily
joined the interview, 122 had oral examination, 115 were in dental treatment needs (not including
dentures). A total of 90 people received simple dental services as needed on the day of the activity, 24
refused treatment, and 1 person received no dental treatment due to uncontrolled diabetes. Only 98
people who agreed to be interviewed and examined were presented. The results confirm severe dental
problems and higher unmet dental service needs among these homeless people than the general
population, despite this list of unmet dental services has already been included in the benefit packages
of all three health insurance systems. Not being aware of their health rights is likely to be a major
barrier for homeless people in accessing to dental services. Creating awareness among homeless people
of their rights should therefore be the first strategy to be implemented. Additional patient perspectives
on barriers and enablers to dental care access are required for future planning of the dental service
system to ensure that no one is left behind.
