Oral health and vulnerabilities in palliative care in Uruguay: perspectives from Latin American bioethics

Patients in palliative care face multiple dimensions of vulnerability (biological, social, moral and programmatic) that impact their well-being and generate different bioethical conflicts. Despite the prevalence of oral problems among these patients, dentistry is rarely integrated into their palliative care. Objective: Examine the different forms of vulnerability and how oral health care is addressed in palliative care in Uruguay, taking theoretical approaches from Latin American bioethics as reference approaches. Methodology: Narrative review. Conclusions: It concludes by highlighting the need to expand the interdisciplinary research agenda in this emerging intersection, investigating the perceptions of professionals and patients, to establish ethical guidelines that guarantee their rights and comprehensive dental care, considering the different dimensions of vulnerability.