Australian Dental Journal
Volume 59, Issue 2, 2014, Pages 201-207

Hard to reach communities or hard to access services? Migrant mothers' experiences of dental services (Article)

Riggs E.* , Gussy M. , Gibbs L. , Van Gemert C. , Waters E. , Kilpatrick N.
  • a Healthy Mothers Healthy Families Research Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, Jack Brockhoff Child Health and Wellbeing Program, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  • b Department of Dentistry and Oral Health, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, Australia
  • c Jack Brockhoff Child Health and Wellbeing Program, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  • d Centre for Population Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  • e Jack Brockhoff Child Health and Wellbeing Program, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  • f Vascular Biology, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Abstract

Background: Good oral health is an important component of overall health which can help migrants settle in a new country. Infant oral health is intimately associated with maternal oral health knowledge and behaviours and therefore, encounters with dental services. This study aimed to explore the experiences of dental service use from the perspective of migrant mothers living in Melbourne, Australia. Methods: A participatory research approach utilizing qualitative methods was adopted. Women from Iraq, Lebanon and Pakistan participated. Semi-structured focus groups and interviews were conducted and thematic analysis of the data was completed. Results: Focus groups (n = 11) and interviews (n = 7) were conducted with 115 women. Despite an understanding that visiting the dentist was important for promoting oral health, the first dental contact for both the women and their children was typically for emergency care. Accessibility, cost and waiting lists were identified as significant barriers to attendance. Problematic interpreter encounters often led to negative experiences which were compounded by a perception that public services provided poorer quality of care. Conclusions: Despite evidence of poorer oral health, migrant women face significant barriers in accessing mainstream dental services. Reorientation of such services, to address the accessibility and experience for migrant communities may help reduce oral health inequalities. © 2014 Australian Dental Association.

Author Keywords

Dental service utilization migrant oral health oral health inequalities, qualitative methods

Index Keywords

information processing Pakistan emergency Australia Oral Health methodology human statistics migrant oral health Dental service utilization oral health inequalities, qualitative methods Iraq Victoria Dental Care for Children ethnology dental procedure qualitative research health Lebanon Dental Care Humans female Infant Mothers Article mother adult migration Utilization Review Emergencies participatory research Community-Based Participatory Research Transients and Migrants Focus Groups Health Services Accessibility health care delivery Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84901481581&doi=10.1111%2fadj.12171&partnerID=40&md5=3cac90fd246a4394a52eb3424ae9bfbe
DOI: 10.1111/adj.12171
ISSN: 00450421
Cited by: 18
Original Language: English