Effect of Community Dentistry Outreach starting on Dental Care usage
- Dr Muhammad Azeem Yousaf, Mohtarma benazir bhutto shaheed medical college mirpur AJK,
- Dr Abdul basit Sultani, Mohtarma benazir bhutto shaheed medical college mirpur AJK
- Dr Raheema Amin, Ayub medical college
- Dr sidra Manzoor, AMC abbattobad
- Dr Mehtab saleem, Nanchang medical university, Jiangxi province , china
- Dr Raheel Irshad, Poonch medical college Rawalakot
Abstract
Background: There are evident disparities in dental health a situation that affects the health of the populace especially those who are disadvantaged. These imbalances are also targeted by community dentistry outreach programs to avail and deliver dental aces at suitable and reasonable costs.
Aim: This research aims at assessing the impact and efficiency of community dentistry outreach programs in increasing the rates of utilisation of dental facilities among those in the deprived communities and analytically establish factors that enhance utilisation.
Method: A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used whereby surveys and dental records were used to quantify the variables while interviews and focus groups were used to get the participants’ perceptions on the variables measured in the surveys and dental records. The study aimed at minority, low-income and other under-represented groups, facility site data was screened and sorted by strata. Comparative data were obtained before intervention and after the establishment of the mobile dental clinics and the education and awareness interventions.
Results: In another case Cross-sectional study revealed that dental care usage improved from 25 percent to 65 percent post the initiative. Criticisms like the high cost, access to hospitals, and limited awareness on the interventions were addressed, thus improving the uptake of preventive measures. Both qualitative data and quantitative data showed that participants’ feedback was positive regarding the services being provided. A statistical analysis affirmed the qualitatively established trends of utilisation comparatively offset by definitive elements of cost, availability and information.
Conclusion: Highlighted community dentistry outreach strategies indeed help to eliminate dental health inequalities by providing a means of accessing dental health facilities for the previously uninsured groups. Consequently, the findings give credence to endeavours aimed at sustaining and developing such initiatives as practical offers for bettering the population’s health.
Keywords: Community Dentistry, Dental Health Disparities, Underserved Populations, Dental Care Utilization, Public Health Strategies, Mixed Methods Research