Improving Oral Health of Indigenous Children through Community Partnerships

Abstract

Aim: Using outreach model to increase oral health knowledge and awareness of Indigenous children and parents and improve access to dental services, through community partnerships. Materials/Methods: The dental team liaised with local community services and programs conducted for Indigenous children, to conduct oral health education and screening sessions within existing settings. These sessions included oral health education delivered in an age appropriate manner, dental story books and information about dental visit. Pictorial goal setting to encourage ongoing commitment to good oral health practices and a showbag for each child were also included. Dental screenings were offered to children and those at high risk of dental caries had a re-mineralising agent applied to their teeth. Results: This project engaged 125 Indigenous children at Healthy Koori event, 70 children at Back to School Day event, 60 parents were educated at Kick the Butt event and 60 families during Aboriginal week. 300 children received showbags. Feedback forms received from parents and carers reported the session was useful, practical and filled with new and relevant information. Number of Indigenous children accessed dental services: 2014/2015 - 56 2015/2016 - 100 Conclusions: The outreach model was effective in engaging a hard to reach community and increasing oral health knowledge of Indigenous children and parents. The project provided information about dental services and the positive experience encouraged further engagement with services leading to increased access. The results of this initiative were used to secure Department of Health funding of $100 000 to replicate this model across the region.