Melbourne Dental School - Theses
Permanent URI for this collection
Search Results
1 - 1 of 1
-
ItemThe use of dental health care services by individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia( 2013)Aims: To investigate experiences and expectations of individuals with intellectual and/or physical disabilities regarding the use of dental health services (DHS), and explore factors impacting on access and experience of dental care for this group. Methodology: A mixed methods quantitative and qualitative study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire by sampling of 400 individuals aged between 15 to 45 years with mild intellectual and/or physical disabilities and who resided in Riyadh. In the qualitative component, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of seven individuals selected according to their social and conceptual skills in addition to the same inclusion criteria used in the quantitative component. Participants were attending hospital, day care centres and rehabilitation centres in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The process was carried out over a 13-week period. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis of data was performed using SPSS Version 19.0 for the quantitative component. For the qualitative component a thematic analysis in addition to using Nvivo 10 software was performed. Results: The main themes elicited from the qualitative interviews of seven participants related to participant experience regarding the use of dental services, their perception concerning the importance of oral health and oral health behaviour. The response rate achieved from the self-administered questionnaire was 58.3%. The majority of the individuals used DHS and had easy accessibility (70.8%). The majority of participants used services in the governmental sector (84.7%) and most had a regular dentist (80.7%). The largest group received a dental check-up followed by prophylaxis and emergency treatment for toothache during their visit and only few sought restorative treatment (14.6%). Dentures (2.2%) and orthodontic treatment (2.2%) was received. Type of disability and distance to the dental clinic were factors associated with the last time individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities (IPD) accessed a dental clinic after the adjustment in multivariate analysis of other related factors that were significant in the bivariate analysis. In addition to the previous factors, individuals’ use of DHS was further affected by transportation, having a regular dentist, caregiver’s level of education, age of individual with IPD, living arrangements, where they sought dental care, the reason why they attended for dental care and the perception of their general health. These factors were associated with difficulty locating a dentist, receiving all needed dental care, receiving adequate dental care and the perception of IPD individuals towards the knowledge of dentists and dental staff regarding IPD. Furthermore, lack of a health information system and cost were expressed as factors associated with the use of DHS especially for those living with their families. Conclusions: This study is the first to provide an overall view of individuals with IPD and the challenges they experienced using DHS in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Whilst most participants with IPD accessed DHS, relatively little treatment had been provided, yet those using governmental sector services were receiving regular check-ups, prophylaxis and fluoride application. In general the majority of participants were satisfied with DHS. The value of this research would be considered significant to community, the DHS system, and policy makers so as to not only improve the understanding about the views and perceptions of individuals with IPD in Riyadh but also more importantly, to lead to improvements in regards to the DHS for IPD patients.