Evaluation of the Empower model of care for partial denture clients in a public oral health care setting.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Empower model of care (EMC) on reducing the addition of teeth to removable partial dentures (RPD). METHODS: Data reports were generated through the Titanium electronic database to retrieve all clients at Monash Dental Services (MHDS) who participated in the EMC or received an RPD prior to the implementation of EMC was assessed over a two-year period to determine if they had additional teeth added to their partial dentures (PD). A logistic regression was performed testing whether a combination of socio-demographic and clinical variables, provided a multivariate explanation of the EMC outcome. RESULTS: Prior to EMC, 2034 patients attended MHDS requiring RPDs with 363 returning to have teeth added. From 2018 to 2020, 38 of 584 participants in EMC returned to have teeth added to their PDs. Those in the 'High' risk group were two times more likely to return requiring additional teeth (OR = 1.99; 95%CI:1.31-3.02); each additional year of age increased the odds of requiring additional teeth (OR = 1.03; 95%CI:1.02-1.04). Participants of the EMC were more than two times less likely to require additional teeth (OR = 0.42; 95%CI:0.29-0.59). The variance in requiring additional teeth accounted for using the full model was 9.1% (η2 = 0.091). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis confirms the effectiveness of the EMC. This approach assists denture wearers to maintain good oral health and provides an effective way of managing public health funds by reducing denture repairs and additions. © 2023 Australian Dental Association.

Risk indicators of dental caries among refugee patients attending a public dental service in Victoria.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the relationship between dental caries prevalence and the social risk factors of asylum seekers and refugees in Australia. METHODS: An oral health interview and a clinical oral examination were carried out on 201 asylum seekers and refugees patients, aged 18-68, attending Monash Health Dental Services, Melbourne, Victoria. RESULTS: Data illustrated that 82% of participants had at least one tooth with untreated decay. Tooth level analysis revealed that white spot lesions were most prevalent in age groups 18-29 and 30-39, with respective mean values of 4.45 ± 4.95 and 3.49 ± 4.74. Binary logistic regression models identified multiple social factors as a barrier to receiving dental care. These included, but were not limited to; medication intake, consumption of soft drinks and long waiting lists. These social factors in addition to oral health factors, such as white spot and hypomineralization lesions, were significant predisposing factors to the presence of cavitated carious lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple social and oral health risk factors were identified and significantly associated with dental caries among refugee and asylum seeker patients. Addressing these underlying risks is an integral component to reducing the prevalence of dental caries among this population group and improving their overall general and oral health.

Midwives' and women's views on accessing dental care during pregnancy: an Australian qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Maternal behaviours during pregnancy are likely to play a significant role in the development of dental caries in children. Although midwives are well placed to discuss oral health and provide information to women, dental attendance by women during pregnancy is minimal. This study aimed to explore midwives' experience of facilitating pregnant women's access to dental care and to document women's experience of receiving dental information and care during pregnancy. METHODS: Focus groups with midwives and telephone interviews with women who were referred to Monash Health Dental Services were conducted to explore their perspectives and experiences. The qualitative data was thematically analysed. RESULTS: Three focus groups with 13 midwives and telephone interviews with eight women who recently gave birth were conducted. Three key themes were identified: maternal oral health knowledge; barriers to accessing dental information and care during pregnancy; and suggested recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted the barriers that exist for midwives to discuss oral health with women and refer women to dental care, and women's experiences of accessing dental care during pregnancy. Ongoing collaboration between the maternity and dental services is required to strengthen midwives' knowledge, confidence and practise in supporting women to access dental care during pregnancy.