Associations between dental care approachability and dental attendance among women pregnant with an Indigenous child: a cross-sectional study

Yuan Gao,Lisa Jamieson,Xiangqun Ju

doi:10.1186/s12903-021-01816-5

Abstract

BackgroundOral health during pregnancy is vital for both mother and child. Indigenous Australians face many barriers in accessing dental care. Service approachability is one of the key domains in accessing health services. There is little empirical evidence of the association between service approachability and dental care attendance or oral health outcome. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between dental service approachability on dental care attendance and self-reported gum disease among South Australian women pregnant with an Aboriginal child.MethodsFour hundred and twenty-seven women pregnant with an Aboriginal child completed questionnaires in both metropolitan and regional health settings in South Australia in 2011. Four variables related to approachability of dental services: (1) perception of need; (2) service-related health literacy; (3) oral health beliefs and; (4) trust and expectation of dental service. The association between service approachability-related factors, dental utilisation and self-reported gum disease during pregnancy were assessed using Generalised Poisson regression models, after adjusting for age, remoteness, employment status and education. Estimates were presented as adjusted prevalence ratios (APR).ResultsMost participants (85.8%) reported a need for dental care, had positive oral health beliefs (88.3%) and had expectations towards dental care (86.2%). Dental service utilisation during pregnancy was low (35.7%). Many participants (78.0%) expressed knowing what to do if they needed dental care, while most (39.8%) doubted that dental care would be available the next day. Poor health service literacy was identified as a risk factor for non-optimal dental attendance (APR = 0.86, 95%CI 0.74–0.99). Perceived need for dental care was positively associated with self-reported gum disease (APR = 1.24, 95%CI 1.06–1.45).ConclusionInability to navigate the dental care system was a risk factor for poor dental attendance among South Australian women pregnant with an Aboriginal child. Perceived need for dental care was associated with gum disease.

Highlights

IntroductionIndigenous Australians face many barriers in accessing dental care
Oral health during pregnancy is vital for both mother and child
Items used in the study were oral health outcome, outcome of service utilisation, and factors related to dental care approachability [31, 32]

Summary

Introduction

Indigenous Australians face many barriers in accessing dental care. There is little empirical evidence of the association between service approachability and dental care attendance or oral health outcome. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between dental service approachability on dental care attendance and self-reported gum disease among South Australian women pregnant with an Aboriginal child. Indigenous Australians have poorer oral health, and experience. Pregnant women are more affected by oral conditions due to hormonal and immunologic changes during pregnancy [4, 5]. Oral conditions during pregnancy may have adverse effects on both maternal and child health outcomes. Maternal experience of dental caries during pregnancy is a contributing factor of early childhood caries (ECC) among children [13]. Experience of dental disease in childhood increases the risk of experiencing dental disease in later life [14, 15]

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