J Lewney1, R D Holmes2, J Rankin1, C Exley3. 1. Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. 2. School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. 3. Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Inequalities in dental decay in young children persist, resulting in high admission rates for general anaesthetics for tooth extractions. Health visitors have the potential to improve dental attendance and oral health in families least likely to engage with dental services. There is little evidence on health visitor views on this. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 17 health visitors working in both affluent and deprived areas in a single UK city. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, anonymized and analysed following a constructivist grounded theory approach. RESULTS: Knowledge of oral health was high and health visitors requested oral health education specific to the communities they worked in. Health visitors reported effective, formal referral processes to other health services but not to primary NHS dental services even when dealing with infants in pain. Health visitors interviewed were largely unaware of specific NHS dental services which reduce barriers to dental care including interpreting services and dental services for children with additional needs. CONCLUSIONS: Health visitors interviewed were knowledgeable and enthusiastic about oral health but not about dental services. Inadequate links with NHS dental services may limit their effectiveness in oral health improvement and this needs to be addressed.
BACKGROUND: Inequalities in dental decay in young children persist, resulting in high admission rates for general anaesthetics for tooth extractions. Health visitors have the potential to improve dental attendance and oral health in families least likely to engage with dental services. There is little evidence on health visitor views on this. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 17 health visitors working in both affluent and deprived areas in a single UK city. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, anonymized and analysed following a constructivist grounded theory approach. RESULTS: Knowledge of oral health was high and health visitors requested oral health education specific to the communities they worked in. Health visitors reported effective, formal referral processes to other health services but not to primary NHS dental services even when dealing with infants in pain. Health visitors interviewed were largely unaware of specific NHS dental services which reduce barriers to dental care including interpreting services and dental services for children with additional needs. CONCLUSIONS: Health visitors interviewed were knowledgeable and enthusiastic about oral health but not about dental services. Inadequate links with NHS dental services may limit their effectiveness in oral health improvement and this needs to be addressed.
Authors: Ieva Eskytė; Kara A Gray-Burrows; Jenny Owen; Bianca Sykes-Muskett; Sue H Pavitt; Robert West; Zoe Marshman; Peter F Day Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2021-02-23
Authors: Amrit Bhatti; Faye Wray; Ieva Eskytė; Kara A Gray-Burrows; Jenny Owen; Erin Giles; Timothy Zoltie; Victoria Smith; Sue Pavitt; Robert West; Rosemary Rc McEachan; Zoe Marshman; Peter F Day Journal: BMC Prim Care Date: 2022-03-26