International approaches to Indigenous dental care: what can we learn?

Abstract

Indigenous populations around the world have significantly poorer oral health and inequalities in access to dental care largely attribute to the social determinants of health. Reviewing international literature offers an opportunity to better understand appropriate approaches for policy and practice in Australia. This article is a descriptive narrative review based on primary research literature discussing informative international approaches to Indigenous dental care. Approaches identified in the literature included integration of dentistry with primary health care and traditional practice, training and use of oral health professionals and approaches used at different stages of life, particularly in the management of early childhood caries. The international literature provides a range of approaches to Indigenous oral health. Tailored, culturally appropriate family and community based initiatives that address the multidisciplinary issues confronting Indigenous communities were most highly regarded.Keywords: Indigenous, approaches to care, dental care, international, review, volunteers.Abbreviations and acronyms: ART = atraumatic restorative technique; DHAT = dental health aide therapist; ECC = early childhood caries; OHP = oral health professional; PCC = patient-centred care; WHO = World Health Organization.

Yarning about oral health: perceptions of urban Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women

“…In the absence of referral options, discussion and education regarding oral health should be prioritised. The common-risk factor approach has been proposed as a way of improving the oral health of Indigenous Australians [48]. Given many health conditions share a common set of risk-factors to oral health, education could be bundled, and advice given holistically [48].…”

“…The common-risk factor approach has been proposed as a way of improving the oral health of Indigenous Australians [48]. Given many health conditions share a common set of risk-factors to oral health, education could be bundled, and advice given holistically [48]. Yet this approach is unlikely to be achieved while treatment is prioritised before prevention.…”

Oral and dental health and health care for Māori with type 2 diabetes: A qualitative study

“…Study findings have relevance for Indigenous populations internationally, particularly given the paucity of Indigenous oral/dental health data despite the excess burden of diabetes and oral/dental health inequities they experience . Findings also respond to calls for qualitative research that gauges the extent of oral/dental disease and disparity and ascertains the underlying sociocultural factors and their relationships . Finally, it contributes to increasing calls regarding the need for a medical‐dental protocol and/or professional education to address this bidirectional disease relationship…”

“…52 Findings also respond to calls for qualitative research that gauges the extent of oral/dental disease and disparity and ascertains the underlying sociocultural factors and their relationships. 53 Finally, it contributes to increasing calls regarding the need for a medical-dental protocol and/or professional education to address this bidirectional disease relationship. 54 A significant strength of this study is the purposive selection of a small number of diverse, information-rich case.…”

Oral Health Programmes in Indigenous Communities Worldwide—Lessons learned from the field: A qualitative systematic review

“…Indigenous populations disproportionately bear the burden of this oral disease . These underlying disparities can be largely explained by multifactorial and multigenerational reasons including socioeconomic and geographical disadvantage, historical loss of culture and identity, which may have limited access to health care, and influenced factors such as diet …”