Challenges in Oral Health Provision and Utilization in the Australian Indigenous Population: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background Oral health is a vital area of public health. Access to dental services are particularly important among Indigenous populations at a global level. This scoping review aimed to investigate challenges in the provision and utilization of oral health services among Indigenous Australians. The findings may be an important contribution to the literature and facilitate policymakers in reducing inequities in dental service access and utilisation among this vulnerable population. Methods This scoping review was conducted up to June 10, 2020. Five main databases were searched, including PUBMED, SCOPUS, ISI Web of Science, EMBASE and PROQUEST. The main key words were: oral health, dental health, utilization, provision, access, Indigenous, Native, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. Arksey and O’Malley`s protocol was applied, which comprises 5 steps of: (1) identifying the research question; (2) identifying relevant studies; (3) study selection; (4) charting the data and collating and; (5) summarising and reporting results. Thematic analysis was used to summarize and analyse the data applying MAX QDA10 software for qualitative data analysis. For a better understanding of the themes and subthemes, a thematic network was presented. Results Results show that there are six main themes and fourteen sub-themes affecting Indigenous Australians` utilization and provision of oral health services. Personal characteristics, Socio-economic status and challenges regarding access were that the main factors influencing utilization of oral health services. The findings suggest that challenges relating to public health, policymaking and service provision can affect Indigenous Australians provision to oral health services. Conclusion Benefits in Indigenous Australian access and utilization of oral health services may improve if policy makers at both national and local levels increase resourcing in this important public health sector. A deeper understanding of the social and cultural nuances driving Indigenous Australians’ reluctance to attend for dental care is crucial.

Predicting dental caries increment using salivary biomarkers in a remote Indigenous Australian child population

“…These simple risk assessment tools can be used in communities with limited resources. However, there are challenges in Indigenous communities due to limited access to dental services, and barriers to health services in general, which include individual, organizational and policy level determinants [53]. Even though chair-side tests are easy to use and quick [54], in rural underserved Indigenous communities, prerequisite equipment and resources may be unavailable [53,55].…”

“…However, there are challenges in Indigenous communities due to limited access to dental services, and barriers to health services in general, which include individual, organizational and policy level determinants [53]. Even though chair-side tests are easy to use and quick [54], in rural underserved Indigenous communities, prerequisite equipment and resources may be unavailable [53,55]. In addition, Indigenous Australians face many challenges and barriers in the utilization of oral health services, among them differences in perception of benefit within traditional health beliefs [53].…”

“…Even though chair-side tests are easy to use and quick [54], in rural underserved Indigenous communities, prerequisite equipment and resources may be unavailable [53,55]. In addition, Indigenous Australians face many challenges and barriers in the utilization of oral health services, among them differences in perception of benefit within traditional health beliefs [53]. In this regard, ways in which Indigenous communities' access public oral health services are important for execution: e.g.…”