Unmet Dental Needs Among Children and Barriers to Seeking Care

Abstract

Dental caries continues to be the most chronic childhood disease, and it is experienced most by the socioeconomically disadvantaged. This study aims to add to the limited body of knowledge on children’s oral health in Nova Scotia; to investigate if disparities in access to oral care for children persist despite the current initiatives; and to The Health Impact Pyramid informed the study of the impact of various oral health initiatives. This research study utilized a quantitative cross-sectional descriptive design. The questionnaire based on Aday and Andersen’s Framework for the Access to Care was completed by caregivers at the IWK Health Centre. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests. This study supports the current evidence that the socioeconomically disadvantaged are more susceptible to oral diseases. Future public policy and programming to reduce the inequalities in the oral health status of vulnerable populations should be guided by The Health Impact Pyramid. Utilizing midlevel oral health care and allied health care providers in alternate practice settings should be considered.