Evaluation of a community dental clinic providing care to people experiencing homelessness

A mixed methods approach

Bibliographic Data

ID19507643
AuthorsMartha Paisi (0000-0001-5718-008X, Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise Peninsula Dental School University of Plymouth Plymouth UK, corresponding author), Rebecca Baines (0000-0001-9857-1976, Well Connected (Charity) University of Plymouth Plymouth UK), Christina Worle (Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise Peninsula Dental School University of Plymouth Plymouth UK), Lyndsey Withers (0000-0002-0027-2626, Well Connected (Charity) University of Plymouth Plymouth UK), Robert Witton (0000-0002-6424-4376, Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise Peninsula Dental School University of Plymouth Plymouth UK)
Year2020
Volume23
Issue5
Pages1289-1299
Publication date2020-10-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Expectations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-6513 • E-ISSN: 1369-7625
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/hex.13111
PMID32761764
OpenAlexW3048153942
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited18

BACKGROUND: People who experience homelessness have higher dental treatment needs compared to the general population. However, their utilization of dental services and levels of treatment completion are low. Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise, a not-for-profit organization in the United Kingdom, established a community dental clinic to improve access to dental care for this population. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact and acceptability of the community dental service for patients and examine the barriers and enablers to using and providing the service. METHODS: The evaluation included a retrospective assessment of anonymous patient data and thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with patients, support staff and service providers. The interviews were thematically analysed. A cost analysis of the dental service was also conducted. RESULTS: By 18 February 2020, 89 patients had attended the clinic. These included 62 males (70%) and 27 females (30%), aged 38.43 years on average (SD ± 11.07). Of these, 42 (47%) patients have completed their treatment, 23 (26%) are in active treatment and 24 (27%) left treatment. In total, 684 appointments (541.5 hours clinical time) were given. Of these, 82% (562) of appointments were attended (452.5 hours clinical time). The 22 interviews that were conducted identified flexibility, close collaboration with support services and health-care team attitudes as key factors influencing service utilization and continuity of care. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides details of a highly acceptable and accessible dental care model for people experiencing homelessness, with recommendations at research, practice and commissioning levels

Dental care · Environmental health · Family medicine · Population · Qualitative research · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Homelessness and Social Issues · Medicine · Nursing · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

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