Abstract
Background
Aboriginal Australians experience significant disparities in oral health with even poorer outcomes reported in rural and remote areas. The high rates of preventable dental disease in Aboriginal communities are a serious concern from a social standpoint and in terms of service provision and healthcare expenditure.
Methods
Primary research literature was comprehensively reviewed. Papers were selected if they reported designing or implementing an intervention or oral health program specific to the needs of Aboriginal communities.
Results
Twenty one publications fulfilled the inclusion criteria with 19 different interventions being described. Interventions were categorized using a classification adapted from the work of Whitehead (2002). The review identified interventions that aimed to reduce early childhood caries, increase services to remote communities, develop the role of Aboriginal health workers, improve oral health literacy, establish water fluoridation and provide periodontal therapy.
Conclusions
Implementing successful oral health interventions in Aboriginal communities is a challenge that is compounded by the complex interplay between psychosocial and cultural determinants. Even interventions that follow a rigorous and consultative design have a high failure rate in Aboriginal communities if upstream determinants of health are not adequately understood and addressed.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
http://ift.tt/2h7VEqk
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου