A first look: determinants of dental care for children in foster care. (20th November 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Melbye, M.; Huebner, C.E.; Chi, D.L.; Hinderberger, H.; Milgrom, P.
• Is Part Of: Special care in dentistry. Volume 33:Number 1(2013:Jan./Feb.)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 19
• Publication Date: 2012-11-20
• Subjects: People with disabilities -- Dental care -- Periodicals; Older people -- Dental care -- Periodicals; Hospital dental service -- Periodicals; Dental Care for Disabled -- Periodicals; Dental Service, Hospital -- Periodicals; Geriatric Dentistry -- Periodicals; 617.60087
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1754-4505.2012.00312.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0275-1879

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec id="scd312-sec-0010" sec-type="section"> <title>Purpose</title> <p>This hypothesis‐generating study sought to identify potential determinants of dental care use and oral health among children living in foster care.</p> </sec> <sec id="scd312-sec-0020" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>Using a grounded theory approach, fourteen key informant interviews were conducted among health and social services professionals experienced with children in foster care and families in western Washington State.</p> </sec> <sec id="scd312-sec-0030" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The identified potential determinants of oral health and dental use among children living in foster care included: (1) linguistic and cultural barriers; (2) lack of dentists willing to accept children's Medicaid dental insurance; (3) lack of resources available to case workers (i.e., large caseload burden) (4) lack of federal funding for specialized dental care; (5) lack of systematic health record‐keeping; (6) child transience, leading to the lack of a dental home; (8) foster parents' competing needs; (7) child behavior problems; and (9) lack of dental "buy in" from adolescents.</p> </sec> <sec id="scd312-sec-0040" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Additional studies are needed to determine whether children living in foster care achieve oral health, and the extent of their unmet dental need.</p> </sec> </abstract>