American Journal of Public Health
Volume 98, Issue 12, 2008, Pages 2181-2182

Oral health status of refugee torture survivors seeking care in the United States (Article)

Singh H.K. , Scott T.E. , Henshaw M.M. , Cote S.E. , Grodin M.A. , Piwowarczyk L.A.
  • a Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
  • b Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
  • c Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States, Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research, Boston University, Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 715 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118, United States
  • d Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
  • e School of Medicine, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
  • f School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

We assessed the oral health status of 216 refugee torture survivors seeking care at an urban torture treatment center in the United States. Results showed that patients' dental health ranged from poor to fair; 76% had untreated cavities, and approximately 90% required immediate or near-immediate dental care. Torture treatment centers, in addition to offering safe environments for educating and examining patients, are ideal settings to provide basic oral health services without the risk of retraumatization.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Needs Assessment dental health refugee Oral Health mass screening human Refugees middle aged Survivors DMF index health status Aged torture survivor Dental Health Surveys United States Young Adult Dental Care Humans Adolescent male female Outpatient Clinics, Hospital dental caries Periodontal Index patient education Article adult Emigration and Immigration Patient Acceptance of Health Care Dental Clinics Torture Boston
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-57149098590&doi=10.2105%2fAJPH.2007.120063&partnerID=40&md5=523fed20a1c4677e566afe02c312477e
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2007.120063
ISSN: 00900036
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English