CDBS Case Study

Oral health has a direct impact on the general health, hence, it is important that all Canadians have adequate access to dental care services. Over the years successive Governments have reduced financial support to programs delivering dental care to most vulnerable populations. As a result, many low income families and other vulnerable groups have been unable to access dental care. There is further escalation in the disparities in oral health care among Canadians, as the number of Canadians losing dental care benefits continues to increase. Also, higher oral health care costs can be expected in the near future due to shortage of health care professionals.

The problem in accessing dental care for low-income community is complex and cannot be determined simply. Lack of utilisation is as a result of lack of demands for dental health (Al Agili, Bronstein & Greene-McIntyre 2005). Demand also depends on the economic condition that supports the patients. At the individual level it has been known for years that financial reason is an essential barrier for not able to visit a dentist (Wallet et al. 2014). However, in this case, the Government try to assist low-income people by reducing financial barrier through the benefit offering by CDBS. Even though the scheme has not maximally encouraged those are eligible for the scheme. In addition to the financial barrier, perceived need is one of the reasons

The provision of dental treatment in Australia is a topic that ignites a wide range of opinions and emotions among the various stakeholders involved. Much of dentistry in Australia is provided in the private setting, some estimates suggesting 83%1. Australians fund up to 60% of dental care via out of pocket payments1,2. Only a relatively small amount of dental care is provided in the public sector to patients who are often disadvantaged in regards to their oral health1. It is estimated that a large amount of the population is unable to access dental care due to finances; however the capacity of the public sector to provide dental care is limited. With limited funding and resources, the public sector is unable to provide dental care for all Australians and a large proportion of people are on long wait lists, some estimates of 650,0002.

All level government including local, state, territory and the Australian Government, provides public health services. While, health services in private sector are available in private hospitals, medical practices and pharmacies (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2014). Furthermore, the detail of oral health system in Australia is described based on type of health care, funding and oral health workforce.

Many low income areas have dental therapists as part of their local dental team. Many people in these areas have never been to a dentist or do not go every six months as recommended this poses many other health problems. There has been case studies and data showing that in these areas dental health

Oral health in Australia is a concern. The impact of poor dental health can instigate ulcers, gingivitis, gum disease and damage one’s overall health. Tooth decay is extensive among Australian adults, and tooth aches are a considerable amount of hospital admission for children (Parliament of Australia, 2013). Two in three children aged 14 years have deteriorated permanent teeth, while three in ten adults receive no treatment at all. Adults living in rural Australia are 1.7 times more likely to have no teeth than those in major cities. 14 percent of children and 37 percent of adults avoid or delaying seeing a dentist due to costs (Australian Institude of Health and Welfare, 2012). The advantages of installing a dental program within

Additionally, the lack of dental education of parents is a deciding factor in the condition of their children’s teeth. The increase

The socioeconomic background of people is a major factor that dictates whether or not they will receive dental care. According to the American Journal of Public Health, “Children from a low socioeconomic status have been shown to have a high risk of dental caries”(Simmer-Beck 1764). Many children today do not receive the dental care they need because of their parents’ income. Going to the dentist is expensive for people without dental insurance so many people tend to blow it off; but what they don’t realize is that the condition of their mouth often dictates the state of the rest of their health. An internet source in correspondence with the American Journal of Public Health stated that, “More than half of low income-children without

This paper is organized into five main sections. The first section discusses the existing literature on oral health care in provincial Canada, as well as, issues of access and use of dental health services. The second section specifically focuses on the data used in the study and the methods of analysing the data. In addition, this section also delves into the models used in determining relationships and associations between the key dependent variables (consultation with a dentist, an actual visit to a dentist, and last time visited a dentist) and socio-economic and health characteristics of respondents as independent variables. The third section of the paper then presents the findings of the descriptive and inferential statistics generated from the data. The fourth section discusses the results of the study in relation to reviewed literature, as well as, their implications on provincial and federal health policies. The limitations of the study in terms of methodology and analysis are subsequently discussed in this section too. The fifth section concludes the paper with an overview of the findings of the study and inter-provincial differences in access and use of dental services in Alberta, Manitoba and Newfoundland.

This can broaden parents’ understanding of general oral health in children and ensure continued care and awareness of oral health in children. Parents will also be offered with a phone number that students can be reached at in order to clarify any questions. Talking to parents and offering to schedule appoint-ments over the phone would complete the project’s goal of improving oral health and making parents comfortable with their child’s school sealant application

Improvements in children’s oral health in Scotland, is evident. However, it is clear inequalities remain “It has become apparent that dental caries is essentially a disease associated with social deprivation” (Childsmile, 2013).

Economic status of the dental industry is “A key risk factors for many oral diseases, and significantly determines both general and oral health” (Beaglehole Pg 49) .Countries income and dental care can determine the number of oral health or dental diseases people might have in that country. In appendix 8 and 9there is a chart which identifies the “Relationship between GDP per capita” (Beaglehole 48) in the dental care industry.

But the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2012 reported that there has been reverse trend after 1990. Although small, a significant increase has been observed3. According to the data and statistics, it can be inferred that there exists many disparities in oral health and particularly caries. Disparities by family income shows striking features. Children of low income group suffers from cavities more when compared to peers of other income groups. Social factors like race, ethnicity, age, sex also show disparities in prevalence of caries. Also, people without insurance coverage have more oral problems when compared to people with insurance or

Although considered preventable, 53.6% of Medicaid eligible kindergarteners studied in California had a history of dental caries and 27.8 % had decay present at the time of the screening (Dental Health Foundation, 2006). Teaching young children effective oral hygiene techniques is the most effective way to protect the child’s teeth and help them to develop a daily oral wellness routine ("Dental Health," 2015). By focusing on those most in need, Medicaid eligible preschool aged children, teaching and reinforcing effective oral hygiene strategies early in life will foster a lifelong habit of oral health wellness (Gardner, Lally, & Wardle, 2012).

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, parallel-group study was conducted for six months among 12 to 15 year olds school children in Nellore, India. The inclusion criteria were : 1) children with permanent dentition; 2) baseline plaque index (PlI) and gingival index (GI) scores of 2-3; 3) good general health; and 4) an ability to use a mouth rinse