Universal access to oral health care for Australian children: comparison of travel times to public dental services at consecutive census dates as an indicator of progressive realisation

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 109
Author(s):  
Gillian Jean ◽  
Estie Kruger ◽  
Marc Tennant
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Travel Time ◽  
World Health ◽  
Travel Times ◽  
Dental Clinic ◽  
Spatial Access ◽  
Dental Services ◽  
Disadvantaged Groups ◽  
Oral Health Services

Progressive realisation of equitable access to health services is a fundamental measure of a state’s resolve to achieve universal health coverage. The World Health Organization has reprioritised the importance of oral health services as an integral element of the roadmap towards health equity. This study sought to determine whether there is an indication of progressive realisation of equitable spatial access to public dental services for Australians <18 years of age through a comparison of travel times to the nearest public dental clinic at successive census dates. The distribution of children classified by rural remoteness and level of socioeconomic disadvantage, as well as the location of public dental clinics at the 2011 and 2016 Australian Bureau of Statistics censuses, was mapped using geographic imaging software. OpenRouteService software was used to calculate the travel time by car between each statistical census district and the nearest public dental clinic. There has been an improvement in the percentage of the population <18 years of age living within a reasonable travel time of a public dental clinic. The most socioeconomically disadvantaged groups in more densely populated areas have better spatial access to publicly funded dental services than less disadvantaged groups. Children living in very remote areas continue to experience lengthy travel times to access fixed oral health services.

Socio-Demographic Determinants Of Utilization Of Dental Services Among Secondary School Students

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
JE Enabulele ◽  
NM Chukwumah
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Demographic Factor ◽  
School Students ◽  
Dental Services ◽  
Oral Health Services ◽  
Utilization Of Dental Services

ABSTRACT Objective This study evaluated the socio demographic determinants of utilization of dental services among secondary school students. Method A cross-sectional study of secondary school students attending schools in the immediate vicinity of a tertiary health facility that provides dental services. The analysis was done using frequency distribution, logistic regression, cross tabulations and test of significance with chi square. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 741 students participated in the study with 207 (27.9%) reporting dental visits mainly when they had dental problems. There was statistically significant association between the type of student, class and utilization of oral health services. Logistic regression showed no socio demographic factor was predictive of utilization of oral health services. Conclusion Although knowledge of who a dentist is was high, utilization of dental services was poor with no socio demographic factor being a predictor of utilization of dental services.

scholarly journals Epidemiological profile of patients utilising public oral health services in Limpopo province, South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence K. Thema ◽  
Shenuka Singh
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
World Health ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Oral Diseases ◽  
District Hospitals ◽  
Oral Health Services ◽  
Epidemiological Profile ◽  
The Impact

Background: Despite the impact of oral diseases on the quality of life, there is limited updated evidence on oral health status in Limpopo province.Objectives: To determine the epidemiological profile of patients utilising public oral health services in Limpopo province.Method: This was a descriptive retrospective clinical chart review conducted in five purposively selected district hospitals in Limpopo province. The collected data included the patient’s sociodemographic information, reasons for dental consultation, information on the dental or oral diseases and the treatment received. Five hundred clinical files were systematically selected (100 from each district hospital) for the period 01 January 1995 to 31 December 2013. Data were collected using the World Health Organization’s indicator age groups, namely 6-year-olds, 12-year-olds, 18-year-olds and 35–44-year-old groups. A data capturing sheet was used to record the collected information. Data were analysed using the statistical software package for social sciences SPSS version 23.0.Results: The majority of patients were in the age group of 6 to 20 years (n = 375, 75%). The majority were male patients (n = 309; 62%). Dental caries was the most common complaint (n = 298, 60%). The second most common main complaint in this age group was retained primary or deciduous teeth (n = 60, 12%) affecting children mainly in the age group of 6 to 12 years. The most common clinical procedure across all five districts was dental extractions (n = 324, 64%). Other clinical interventions included scaling and polishing (n = 33, 12%) and dental restorative care (n = 20, 3%).Conclusion: There is an urgent need to reorient oral health service delivery in Limpopo province to focus more on preventive oral health programmes.

scholarly journals Oral Health & Dentistry in Bhutan: call for actions to address a public health urgency

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-46
Author(s):  
Karma Tenzin ◽  
Tshewang Gyeltshen ◽  
Gyan P Bajgai ◽  
Sonam Nyedup ◽  
Choki Choki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
World Health ◽  
Policy Dialogue ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Oral Health Services ◽  
Oral Health Policy

Introduction: Bhutan’s healthcare approach in achieving the sustainable development goal 3 (SDG 3) has been largely through primary healthcare as enshrined in the universal health coverage (UHC). Bhutan has forged a unique primary healthcare model in which oral health is integrated in its primary care initiatives. The Oral Health program under the Department of public health was established in 1999 with clear line objectives. The program has achieved commendable successes over the years. However, with changing needs, enhancing and mainstreaming of oral health and dentistry in the country must be accorded a top priority. This is particularly important as the Oral Health Policy and service standards were drafted fourteen years ago in 2007. The 2021 World Health Orgnization (WHO) agreement “to provide basic oral health services to all”, to which Bhutan is signatory, needs to be strictly implemented. Therefore, oral health dialogue was conducted to deliberate on the oral health systems in the country with experts from the field who were from within and outside Bhutan. This oral health policy dialogue generated important themes such as strategic and competent workforce, capacity development, need to transform oral health services in more people centric ways and mainstreaming oral health in other health policies.

scholarly journals “Does this dental mob do eyes too?”: perceptions and attitudes toward dental services among Aboriginal Australian adults living in remote Kimberley communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jilen Patel ◽  
Angela Durey ◽  
Steven Naoum ◽  
Estie Kruger ◽  
Linda Slack-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Remote Communities ◽  
Dental Services ◽  
Aboriginal Communities ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
Primary Health Services ◽  
Oral Health Services

Abstract Background Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to experience significant disparities in oral health and there remains an urgent need to improve services to rural and remote communities. Quantitative research has typically been used to highlight the disease burden and severity experienced by those living in remote communities, but this data does little to explore the lived reality and psychosocial nuances that impact on care. The Kimberley region of Western Australia is home to over 150 Aboriginal communities spread out across 400,000 square kilometres. The success and sustainability of oral health services to these remote communities relies on respect and reciprocity achieved through shared knowledge, decision making and involvement of Aboriginal people in discussions around oral health services and their delivery. This, study aimed to investigate the perceptions and attitudes toward dental services among Aboriginal Australian families living in remote Kimberley communities. Methods Semi-structured interviews and yarning circles were carried out following purposive sampling of Aboriginal adults living in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed guided by a constructivist grounded theory approach. Results In total, 80 community members participated in the yarning process. Enablers to care included: promotion of existing services, integration with primary health services, using mobile dental services and volunteers to extend care. Barriers to care included transportation, cost of treatment, the complexity of appointment systems and shame associated with health-seeking behaviours. Conclusions Reassessing the prevailing operative model of dental care to remote Aboriginal communities is warranted to better address the overwhelming structural barriers that impact on oral health. Integration with existing primary health services and schools, the use of mobile units to extend care and increasing community engagement through clinical yarning are recommended in improving the current state of dental services to communities in the Kimberley.

Self reported oral diseases, Oral hygiene and utilisation of Oral health services among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at New Masala Clinic, Ndola, Zambia:cross-functional study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thandiwe Phiri
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Oral Cavity ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Oral Care ◽  
Antenatal Clinic ◽  
Oral Diseases ◽  
Dental Services ◽  
Oral Symptoms ◽  
Oral Health Services

UNSTRUCTURED Background: Pregnancy is associated with the development of oral cavity disorders and diseases due to the increase in the levels of the hormones Estrogen and Progesterone, which predispose the oral cavity of the pregnant woman to diseases. Some of the common self-reported oral diseases in pregnancy are gingivitis, dental caries, periodontitis, pregnancy tumors and many more. In most developing countries research on the oral health during pregnancy has not been done leading to limited information to general public. The main objective of this study is to determine the self-reported oral diseases, oral hygiene and utilization of oral health services among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at New Masala Clinic. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 208 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at New Masala Clinic of Ndola town. All participants completed a questionnaire with following parameters; socio-demographics, self-oral care, oral symptoms during pregnancy and utilization of oral health services during pregnancy. The data collected was then analyzed using SPSS software version 20 statistical software. Chi-square test was used to determine significant associations. Results: over one third of participants reported to experience bleeding gums, 85.1% reported to have been brushing regularly at least twice or more daily. None (0%) used floss while majority (80.3%) of the participants reported use of toothpick. Majority (80.8%) had never visited a dentist in their entire life while 7.2% of the participants reported to have visited a dental clinic in less than 1 year ago. Majority (99%)of the participants had never visited a dentist during their pregnancy Conclusion and recommendations: Despite the high level of self-reported oral care among pregnant women there is great need for radical sensitization and awareness about oral health during pregnancy and utilization of dental services among pregnant women. Social economic status and education back ground do not influence dental services utilization or development of oral health diseases and. However the age of gestation has great influence of the development of certain oral symptoms and diseases.

Changes in the Balance between Dentists, Patients and Funders in the NHS and their Consequences

2008 ◽  
Vol os15 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne Richards ◽  
Tony Gear
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
National Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Health Services ◽  
National Health ◽  
Professional Culture ◽  
Dental Services ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
The Future ◽  
Oral Health Services

This paper explores aspects of professional culture in dentistry that may impact on the delivery of equitable dental services in the future. After 2009, commissioners will have to ration National Health Service budgets for health services and dentistry will compete with other services. Therefore, the delivery of equitable oral health services may be an advantage in the case for dentistry and subsequent funding. We report our opinions on the changes currently occurring in dentistry in England and Wales, based on the evidence available to us from the literature, and consider the risks and opportunities that have arisen.

scholarly journals During the COVID-19 pandemic, oral health services including routine treatment may continue but must follow established international and South African protocol

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 351-352
Author(s):  
KC Makhubele
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
South African ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
World Health ◽  
Oral Diseases ◽  
The World ◽  
Oral Health Services ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Systemic Health

The South African Dental Association (SADA) hereby responds to the statement released by the World Health Organization (WHO): Considerations for the provision of essential oral health services in the context of COVID-19, on 7th August 2020. After careful consideration and in consultation with workstreams working in various protocols regarding the provision of oral health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, SADA respectfully yet strongly disagrees with the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendation to delay "routine" dental care in certain situations due to COVID-19. A blanket statement such as the recent one by the WHO cannot, therefore, be supported. It is without a doubt that oral health is integral to overall health and neglect and delay of certain treatments may lead to extensive damage and increased financial implications to correct. Consequently, dentistry is essential healthcare, because of its role in evaluating, diagnosing, preventing or treating oral diseases, which can adversely affect systemic health. Each country is at a different stage of the pandemic and each country has to respond appropriately based on its assessment of its unique situation.

COVID 19 and Special Care Dentistry: A Narrative Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 1473-1476
Author(s):  
Ashwika Datey ◽  
Soumya Singhai ◽  
Gargi Nimbulkar ◽  
Kumar Gaurav Chhabra ◽  
Amit Reche
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Special Care ◽  
World Health ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Health Care Needs ◽  
Oral Diseases ◽  
Care Needs

The COVID 19 outbreak has been declared a pandemic by the world health organisation. The healthcare sector was overburdened and overstretched with the number of patient increasing and requiring health services. The worst-hit population always are the people with special needs, whether it is children, pregnant females or the geriatric population. The need for the emergency kind of health services was so inflated that the other special population which required them equally as those patients with the COVID 19 suffered a lot. Dentistry was not an exception, and even that is also one of the important components of the health care delivery system and people requiring oral health care needs were also more. Those undergoing dental treatments would not have completed the treatment, and this would have resulted in various complications. In this situation, some dental emergency guidelines have been released by Centres for Disease Control (CDC) for the urgent dental care those requiring special care dentistry during the COVID 19 pandemic. Children with special care needs were considered more vulnerable to oral diseases; hence priority should have been given to them for dental treatments moreover in the future also more aggressive preventive measures should be taken in order to maintain oral hygiene and prevent many oral diseases. Guardians/caregivers should be made aware and motivated to maintain the oral health of children with special health care needs. This review mainly focuses on the prevention and management of oral diseases in children's with special care needs.

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