Access to primary dental care for cleft lip and palate patients in South Wales

Bhatia, Shannu ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6363-8306 and Collard, Mechelle Margaret 2012. Access to primary dental care for cleft lip and palate patients in South Wales. British Dental Journal 212 , pp. 1-4. 10.1038/sj.bdj.2012.186

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Abstract

Aim To determine the provision of NHS primary dental care for children with cleft lip and/or palate in South Wales and the ease of accessing this dental care. Method A postal questionnaire was sent to all cleft lip and/or palate patients under the age of 18 (n = 750) in South Wales. The questionnaire identified patients' medical history, episodes of dental emergency, distance from home to dental surgery and ease of accessing primary dental care. To increase the response rate a second questionnaire was posted to non-responders. Results The response rate was 49% (368/750). The majority of patients (92%, n = 340) attended a dentist. Over 17% (n = 61) had suffered an episode of dental emergency. About 63% (n = 240) lived within 5 miles of their primary dental care provider, and 13% (n = 66) lived more than 10 miles away. Other medical problems were found in over 30% (n = 111) of the sample. Parents of 39% (n = 107) found it difficult or impossible to access a local NHS dentist. Conclusion Many children with cleft lip and/or palate find it difficult or impossible to access NHS primary dental care. Shortcomings in the services provided to this high risk group have been highlighted. Further research is needed at national levels to evaluate the extent of the shortcomings and propose methods to overcome them.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Dentistry
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain R Medicine > RK Dentistry
Publisher:	Nature Publishing Group: Open Access Hybrid Model Option B
ISSN:	0007-0610
Last Modified:	17 Dec 2022 02:08
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/32467

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