Australian Dental Journal
Volume 60, Issue 1, 2015, Pages 73-79

Caries burden and efficacy of a referral pathway in a cohort of preschool refugee children (Article)

Nicol P.* , Anthonappa R. , King N. , Slack-Smith L. , Cirillo G. , Cherian S.
  • a School of Paediatrics and Child Health (M561), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
  • b School of Dentistry, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
  • c School of Dentistry, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
  • d School of Dentistry, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
  • e Dental Health Services, WA Department of Health, Perth, Australia
  • f School of Paediatrics and Child Health (M561), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia, Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Australia

Abstract

Background This study aimed to assess the early caries experience and the efficacy of a community based dental referral pathway in preschool refugees in Western Australia. Methods Preschool refugee children referred to the Western Australian paediatric hospital Refugee Health Clinic were prospectively screened for caries by a paediatric dentist before being referred to community dental clinics. Dental forms and medical records were audited to assess decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft), medical data and dental services engagement. Poisson regression analysis determined the contribution of count variables to the final model. Results Among the 105 screened children (54% male, median age 3.2 years, 41% Burmese), community dental clinic engagement was low (46%, n = 48). Of the 62% with caries (n = 65/105, mean dmft 5.2, SD 4.1), 45% were recommended for specialist dental services and 48% were treated. After adjustment for age, gender and total number of teeth, caries incidence was significantly associated with BMI-for-Age Z score (p = 0.02). Conclusions Preschool refugee caries burden was high. The community dental referral pathway was ineffective compared to co-located intersectorial dental screening. Specialist dental service needs are high in this cohort and require a targeted approach. © 2015 Australian Dental Association.

Author Keywords

Early childhood caries oral health screening referral pathways intersectorial collaboration Refugee

Index Keywords

prospective study refugee Australia mass screening health survey Hospitals, Pediatric Prospective Studies human Refugees Cohort Studies DMF index health service Dental Care for Children dental procedure Health Services Needs and Demand Cross-Sectional Studies Community Health Centers cross-sectional study Humans male female preschool child patient referral Infant Child, Preschool Referral and Consultation cost of illness dental caries Western Australia Periodontal Index periodontics cohort analysis hospital health center Dental Clinics body mass Body Mass Index dental clinic Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84923606981&doi=10.1111%2fadj.12269&partnerID=40&md5=df2ce27d970894dbba28df1f83c7e55f
DOI: 10.1111/adj.12269
ISSN: 00450421
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English