Dental health aides in Alaska: A qualitative assessment to improve paediatric oral health in remote rural villages.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Isolated villages in Alaska face disparities in oral health and access to care. Dental health aides such as the primary dental health aide (PDHA) and the dental health therapist (DHAT) fill a critical role for providing dental care in Alaska. Our objective was to describe strengths and barriers to paediatric dental care for children living in remote Alaska villages from the perspectives of the community and the health care system.

Methods

This qualitative study collected data through semi-structured key informant interviews with community members (n = 19) and healthcare workers (n = 19) and focus groups with patients (n = 31 adolescents and 16 caregivers of children under 12 years) living in or providing health care to 3 remote villages in Alaska. Using an inductiv

SUBMITTER: Senturia K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6035099 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature