Oral Health Behavior in Remote and Rural Populations of Papua, Indonesia: A Literature Review

Oral health behavior is a key factor influencing a community's oral health status. Papua, Indonesia, presents unique geographical and socio-cultural factors that directly impact health care access and the oral health behavior of its population, particularly in remote and rural areas. Research findings on oral health behavior in Papua are still scattered, necessitating a comprehensive study. This review aims to identify and analyze scientific evidence and determinants of oral health behavior in this population, particularly in remote and rural areas. A comprehensive search of electronic databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar) was conducted to identify relevant studies published from 2020 to 2025. Data were extracted and synthesized narratively, focusing on scientific evidence and determinant factors. Ten primary studies met the inclusion criteria. The synthesis shows that oral health behaviors in rural Papua are significantly constrained by low health literacy, limited access to affordable hygiene supplies, and deeply rooted cultural practices, most notably habitual betel nut chewing. Care-seeking behavior is predominantly reactive, with dental utilization occurring only during acute pain because of severe geographical barriers, high transport costs, workforce maldistribution in primary health centers ( Puskesmas ), and language barriers between clinicians and local communities. An interplay of socio-cultural traditions and structural healthcare disparities drives oral health behavior in remote Papua. Achieving oral health equity requires a strategic shift from curative approaches toward community-based prevention, including capacity building at primary health centers, teacher-led school health programs, and active engagement with traditional leaders ( tokoh adat ) and local health cadres.