Factors influencing the perceived importance of oral health within a rural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Australia.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Indigenous Australians suffer from higher rates of oral disease and have more untreated dental problems and tooth extractions than the general population. Indigenous Australians also have lower rates of accessing oral health services and are more likely to visit for a problem rather than a check-up. Multiple issues effect health service and prevention programs including: characteristics of health services such as distances to health services; existence of social and cultural barriers; available wealth and social support; and, characteristics of the individual and community including the importance given to the disease. This paper seeks to explore the perceived importance of oral health within a rural Indigenous community in Australia and the factors influencing this perception.

SUBMITTER: Tynan A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7164228 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature