A program review of a community-based oral health care program for socially vulnerable and underserved citizens in Denmark

TY - JOUR

T1 - A program review of a community-based oral health care program for socially vulnerable and underserved citizens in Denmark

AU - Hede, Børge

AU - Thiesen, H.

AU - Christensen, Lisa Bøge

PY - 2019/7/4

Y1 - 2019/7/4

N2 - Objectives: To describe the oral health and oral health-related quality of life among social vulnerable adults enrolled in a special oral care program, and to evaluate the effect of oral care on their oral health-related quality of life. Method: Social workers identified social vulnerable persons in social centres and referred them to the program. Dental clinics were arranged including a well-motivated staff to be special responsive to these clients. The participants, (n = 235, mean age 43.5 years) with drug abuse, being homeless, permanently unemployed, or with mental problems were offered low-cost treatment services. Data collection was made by clinical registration and questionnaires. Oral health-related quality of life was measured by means of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 index (OHIP-14). Results: 94% of the participants had actual decayed teeth (mean 9.5). Forty-four per cent had not visited a dentist within 5 years and less than one-third reported tooth brushing twice a day, 17% even less frequent. One hundred and forty-six completed the dental program within the program period. Mean OHIP-14 score was 28.6 at baseline. Among those who fulfilled the program, the OHIP-14 score was reduced to 9.9 (p <.001). Conclusion: Oral health among the study population was very poor. However, oral problems in this group can be solved, and their oral health-related quality of life can be increased although it requires special arrangements and special clinical environment.

AB - Objectives: To describe the oral health and oral health-related quality of life among social vulnerable adults enrolled in a special oral care program, and to evaluate the effect of oral care on their oral health-related quality of life. Method: Social workers identified social vulnerable persons in social centres and referred them to the program. Dental clinics were arranged including a well-motivated staff to be special responsive to these clients. The participants, (n = 235, mean age 43.5 years) with drug abuse, being homeless, permanently unemployed, or with mental problems were offered low-cost treatment services. Data collection was made by clinical registration and questionnaires. Oral health-related quality of life was measured by means of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 index (OHIP-14). Results: 94% of the participants had actual decayed teeth (mean 9.5). Forty-four per cent had not visited a dentist within 5 years and less than one-third reported tooth brushing twice a day, 17% even less frequent. One hundred and forty-six completed the dental program within the program period. Mean OHIP-14 score was 28.6 at baseline. Among those who fulfilled the program, the OHIP-14 score was reduced to 9.9 (p <.001). Conclusion: Oral health among the study population was very poor. However, oral problems in this group can be solved, and their oral health-related quality of life can be increased although it requires special arrangements and special clinical environment.

U2 - 10.1080/00016357.2019.1572921

DO - 10.1080/00016357.2019.1572921

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 30777469

SN - 0001-6357

VL - 77

SP - 364

EP - 370

JO - Acta Odontologica Scandinavica

JF - Acta Odontologica Scandinavica

IS - 5

ER -