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Abstract:
Current models of care are not reducing oral health disparities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. Poor oral health in Aboriginal Australians remains a significant concern. Evidence suggests that, despite dental caries being largely (theoretically) preventable, Australian Aboriginal people have worse periodontal disease, more decayed teeth and untreated dental caries than non-Aboriginal Australians. Current health care delivery systems need reviewing for their effectiveness in providing services that are culturally appropriate and understand the issues that many Aboriginal people face including marginalisation, racism and socio-economic disadvantage. Knowledge of Aboriginal perspectives of oral health and dental services is integral to developing responsive and appropriate oral health services that focus on upstream approaches such as preventing disease as well as providing tertiary dental care. The original concept of this project was suggested by a Noongar elder and developed over time through conversations with Community, Aboriginal health colleagues with leadership roles and with an Aboriginal co-investigator. Designed to respond to a pressing need to generate new knowledge and identify practical solutions to improve the provision of adequate primary oral health care to Aboriginal people, it was anticipated that project findings would provide evidence of how Aboriginal people perceive oral health and dental services, including barriers and enabling factors that can inform policy and practice development and future research projects.
