Self-reported oral health among a community sample of people experiencing social and health inequities: cross-sectional findings from a study to enhance equity in primary healthcare settings

ObjectiveTo describe the self-reported oral health issues among a community sample of primary care clients experiencing socioeconomic disadvantages.MethodsAs part of a larger mixed-methods, multiple case study evaluating an equity-oriented primary healthcare intervention, we examined the oral health...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	BMJ open Vol. 5; no. 12; p. e009519
Main Authors:	Wallace, Bruce, Browne, Annette J, Varcoe, Colleen, Ford-Gilboe, Marilyn, Wathen, Nadine, Long, Phoebe M, Parker, Joanne
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 23-12-2015 BMJ Publishing Group
Subjects:	Adolescent Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Canada Canadians Case studies Cross-Sectional Studies Demographics Dental care Dental health Dental insurance Dentistry and Oral Medicine Dentists Disadvantages Employment Female Health care access Health care policy Health disparities Health Surveys Healthcare Disparities - statistics & numerical data Households Humans Low income groups Male Middle Aged Native North Americans Oral Health - statistics & numerical data Oral hygiene Population Primary care Primary Health Care - standards Quality of Life Residence Characteristics Self Report Vulnerable Populations Young Adult Canada Social determinants of health Health equity Marginalized populations Oral health
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Summary:	ObjectiveTo describe the self-reported oral health issues among a community sample of primary care clients experiencing socioeconomic disadvantages.MethodsAs part of a larger mixed-methods, multiple case study evaluating an equity-oriented primary healthcare intervention, we examined the oral health of a sample of 567 people receiving care at four clinics that serve marginalised populations in two Canadian provinces. Data collected included self-rated oral health and experiences accessing and receiving healthcare, standard self-report measures of health and quality of life, and sociodemographic information.ResultsThe prevalence of self-rated poor oral health was high, with almost half (46.3%) of the participants reporting poor or fair oral health. Significant relationships were observed between poor oral health and vulnerabilities related to mental health, trauma and housing instability. Our findings suggest that the oral health of some Canadian populations may be dramatically worse than what is reported in existing population health surveys.ConclusionsOur findings reinforce the importance of addressing oral health as part of health equity strategies. The health and oral health issues experienced by this client cohort highlight the need for interdisciplinary, team-based care that can address the intersections among people's health status, oral health and social issues.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	2044-6055 2044-6055
DOI:	10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009519