Siv-Elin Leirvaag Carlsen1, Katja Isaksen2, Lars Thore Fadnes1,3, Ole Jørgen Scheie Lygren1, Anne Nordrehaug Åstrøm4,5. 1. Department of Addiction medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, PO Box 1400, 5021, Bergen, Norway. 2. Oral Health Centre of Expertise in Western Norway, PO Box 7900, 5020, Bergen, Norway. 3. Institute of Global health, University of Bergen, PO Box 7804, 5020, Bergen, Norway. 4. Department of clinical dentistry, University of Bergen, PO Box 7804, 5020, Bergen, Norway. Anne.Aastrom@uib.no. 5. Oral Health Centre of Expertise in Western Norway, PO Box 7900, 5020, Bergen, Norway. Anne.Aastrom@uib.no.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: People with substance use disorders often have poor oral health, which can negatively impact their quality of life. Since 2005, patients receiving opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) in Norway have been eligible for free oral health care services offered through public oral health clinics. Despite a large need for oral health services amongst patients in OMT, figures suggest that the use of these services is low amongst this patient group. It has been unclear which barriers that contribute to this. This qualitative study explores the underlying barriers to the use of oral health care services amongst patients in OMT, from the perspective of the patients as well as dental health care workers (DHW). METHODS: Through a combination of focus group interviews and individual interviews, data were collected from 63 participants; 30 patients in OMT and 33 DHW. Thematic analysis identified key themes for the use (or not) of oral health care services amongst patients in OMT. RESULTS: Both individual and structural barriers prevent OMT patients from using the free oral health care services offered to them. These barriers include struggling to attend appointments, anxiety and fear of dentists, discrepancies between patients' expectations and the services offered and perceived stigma. OMT patients' lack of information regarding their rights and access to oral health services was also a barrier, as was DHWs' lack of knowledge and information of the OMT system and what they can offer patients. CONCLUSIONS: OMT patients face several barriers in accessing and using oral health care services. However, through a number of relatively simple measures, it is possible that the use of oral health services amongst OMT patients can be increased.
BACKGROUND:People with substance use disorders often have poor oral health, which can negatively impact their quality of life. Since 2005, patients receiving opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) in Norway have been eligible for free oral health care services offered through public oral health clinics. Despite a large need for oral health services amongst patients in OMT, figures suggest that the use of these services is low amongst this patient group. It has been unclear which barriers that contribute to this. This qualitative study explores the underlying barriers to the use of oral health care services amongst patients in OMT, from the perspective of the patients as well as dental health care workers (DHW). METHODS: Through a combination of focus group interviews and individual interviews, data were collected from 63 participants; 30 patients in OMT and 33 DHW. Thematic analysis identified key themes for the use (or not) of oral health care services amongst patients in OMT. RESULTS: Both individual and structural barriers prevent OMTpatients from using the free oral health care services offered to them. These barriers include struggling to attend appointments, anxiety and fear of dentists, discrepancies between patients' expectations and the services offered and perceived stigma. OMTpatients' lack of information regarding their rights and access to oral health services was also a barrier, as was DHWs' lack of knowledge and information of the OMT system and what they can offer patients. CONCLUSIONS:OMTpatients face several barriers in accessing and using oral health care services. However, through a number of relatively simple measures, it is possible that the use of oral health services amongst OMTpatients can be increased.
Entities:
Keywords:
Barriers; Dental health care workers; OMT patients; Opioid maintenance treatment; Oral health
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