Situation Analysis and Dental Service Delivery in Khayelitsha, Western Cape

Background: Khayelitsha Township is situated in the Western Province and is said to be the fastest growing township in South Africa. The population is estimated to be over 800 000 people but fluctuates due to continuous migration in and out of the area. Approximately 71% live below the poverty line and are faced with challenges such as over-population, widespread poverty and a high burden of infectious diseases such as HIV and TB. The Khayelitsha sub-district is the poorest and most disadvantaged of the eight health sub-districts of the Cape Metro Health Sub-district. Purpose:   To conduct a situation analysis of   public dental health services provided in the sub-district in line with the basic package of oral care. Objectives: 1. To determine the number of dental facilities; 2. The type of treatment provided; 3. To determine the number of dental personnel and 4. To elicit the challenges encountered by the staff. Methods: Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to collect data from three dental facilities. Results: There are 9 clinic facilities and a district hospital in Khayelitsha, but only 3 offer dental services provided by 2 dentists, 2 dental therapists, 3 dental hygienists and 4 dental assistants. The dental disease profile is representative of the general profile found in the Western Cape - dental caries in both children and adults is the most common problem followed by periodontal diseases and edentulousness in adults. The reported challenges to service delivery were lack of human resources, obtaining consumables and transport for dental hygienists to reach the wider community. Conclusion: There is provision of basic treatment and a good referral system for complicated cases. However, integration of oral disease prevention and oral health promotion into the primary health care initiatives at the other clinic facilities in the area needs to be prioritised.