Exploring community members’ perceptions of oral health in rural South Africa

Abstract Background Oral health remains a global health challenge. Rural communities are disproportionately affected by oral diseases due to inequitable access to oral health services and the absence of initiatives that promote oral health and quality of life. This study aimed to explore community members’ perceptions of oral health in rural communities in Limpopo province, South Africa. Methods A convenience sample of 50 participants was recruited to take part in five focus group discussions, each comprising 10 participants from five geographically distinct rural communities. Discussions were conducted using an interview guide, digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, imported into ATLAS.ti, and thematically analyzed using an inductive approach. Results Three main themes emerged: (1) barriers to oral healthcare access, (2) inadequate oral health advocacy, and (3) intrinsic determinants of oral health, each with several related sub-themes and categories. Together, these factors were identified as key contributors to limited awareness of oral health and its potential impact, thereby increasing the prevalence of oral diseases in rural communities. Conclusion Despite global initiatives to improve oral health, rural communities remain disproportionately affected by various oral health challenges. Improving oral health in these settings requires integrating oral health into PHC policy reform, equitable workforce distribution, implementation of oral health programs, expansion of mobile services, and the involvement of community healthcare workers to enhance access.