IADR Abstract Archives
Community Consultation: Dental Services in a Health and Leisure Centre
Objectives: To explore the views of key sections of the local community on how primary dental care should be provided in a new south London Health and Leisure Centre to be used for outreach teaching.
Methods: Three studies were conducted amongst sub-sections of the population in line with community consultation principles: questionnaire interviews of adults in the main street/shopping area; a self-complete questionnaire survey of parents/guardians with young children (<7-years) via nurseries and schools; triad/individual interviews of older people attending day-centres. The research was conducted prior to the opening of the 14-surgery dental centre for outreach teaching. Survey instruments and topic guides were informed by the literature and where possible drew on established instruments.
Results: Responses were achieved from 114 adults interviewed in the main street across different days of the week, 246 parents (25%) across six nurseries/schools institutions, and 17 older people across four day-centres. Older participants in particular were generally willing to consider a service that provided mutual benefit for students and older people. Acceptance of treatment by dental students was dependent upon staff supervision. Essential facilitating factors for parents with young children were friendly dental care providers (81%), ease of getting appointments (76%) and suitable opening hours (74%), especially after school and during holidays. Amongst working-age adults, being treated with care and concern (88%), being involved in decision making (85%), and getting to and from the dentist (78%) were considered important or very important. Amongst older people, the overarching principles of experiencing warm humanity and restoring dignity and worth through dental care were central to their views on quality. Local promotion of the service was encouraged.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that local residents generally welcome the new dental service, place great emphasis on receiving patient-centered empathetic care, together with practical issues which overcome existing barriers to care.
Methods: Three studies were conducted amongst sub-sections of the population in line with community consultation principles: questionnaire interviews of adults in the main street/shopping area; a self-complete questionnaire survey of parents/guardians with young children (<7-years) via nurseries and schools; triad/individual interviews of older people attending day-centres. The research was conducted prior to the opening of the 14-surgery dental centre for outreach teaching. Survey instruments and topic guides were informed by the literature and where possible drew on established instruments.
Results: Responses were achieved from 114 adults interviewed in the main street across different days of the week, 246 parents (25%) across six nurseries/schools institutions, and 17 older people across four day-centres. Older participants in particular were generally willing to consider a service that provided mutual benefit for students and older people. Acceptance of treatment by dental students was dependent upon staff supervision. Essential facilitating factors for parents with young children were friendly dental care providers (81%), ease of getting appointments (76%) and suitable opening hours (74%), especially after school and during holidays. Amongst working-age adults, being treated with care and concern (88%), being involved in decision making (85%), and getting to and from the dentist (78%) were considered important or very important. Amongst older people, the overarching principles of experiencing warm humanity and restoring dignity and worth through dental care were central to their views on quality. Local promotion of the service was encouraged.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that local residents generally welcome the new dental service, place great emphasis on receiving patient-centered empathetic care, together with practical issues which overcome existing barriers to care.