IADR Abstract Archives
Community Outreach Dental Program providing oral care for homeless and vulnerable people - sustainability and growth a global concern
Objectives: The Community Outreach Dental Program in Adelaide South Australia has entered its sixth year multifaceted and interprofessional in its approach is now at a stage where growth and expansion of services are critical to sustainability. Ths program currently provides dental care for some 900 individuals and provides final year dental and oral health students opportunites to learn about the complex social and dental needs of this hard to reach group of people.
Comparisons drawn between developed countries and developing countries that provide Dental Outreach Programs will help inform the future development of interprofessional, multidisciplinary and successful growth of local and global care for homeless and vulnerable populations.
Methods: Review of the literature and programs that exist. Visit and interview managers and directors of similar programs locally and internationally. To seek support through industry and stakeholders who support philanthropy, education and development of healthy communities.
Results: Early discussion has begun with existing programs in USA and Canada looking at the funding models and spread of services to address the dental and health needs of marginalised an vulnerable populations. These developed countries have had similar programs in place with varying degrees of success in that there is still evidence of social disparity with in certain racial groups. Canada however has a different funding model than we have in Australia and a greater propensity for community and organisational philanthropy
Conclusions: Whilst investigations are still in developmental phase it is becoming clear that to increase sustainability and better reach to marginalised people in Australia we need to adopt a different mindset and revisit the current model of addressing oral and total health care. It is evident that we cannot rely on public monies and that partnerships and investment from private and corporate organisations needs to be addressed and encouraged to engender a greater social responsibility to thus improve health and social outcomes for an increasing number of socially disparate people in our community.
Comparisons drawn between developed countries and developing countries that provide Dental Outreach Programs will help inform the future development of interprofessional, multidisciplinary and successful growth of local and global care for homeless and vulnerable populations.
Methods: Review of the literature and programs that exist. Visit and interview managers and directors of similar programs locally and internationally. To seek support through industry and stakeholders who support philanthropy, education and development of healthy communities.
Results: Early discussion has begun with existing programs in USA and Canada looking at the funding models and spread of services to address the dental and health needs of marginalised an vulnerable populations. These developed countries have had similar programs in place with varying degrees of success in that there is still evidence of social disparity with in certain racial groups. Canada however has a different funding model than we have in Australia and a greater propensity for community and organisational philanthropy
Conclusions: Whilst investigations are still in developmental phase it is becoming clear that to increase sustainability and better reach to marginalised people in Australia we need to adopt a different mindset and revisit the current model of addressing oral and total health care. It is evident that we cannot rely on public monies and that partnerships and investment from private and corporate organisations needs to be addressed and encouraged to engender a greater social responsibility to thus improve health and social outcomes for an increasing number of socially disparate people in our community.