Systematic Review

Year : 2024 | Volume : 12 | Issue : 2 | Page : 50-57

Barriers to Utilization of Dental Care Services Among Culturally Diverse Migrant Construction Laborers: A Systematic Review

Kesavan R1*, Vinita Mary A1 Srisakthi D2

1 Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Thai Moogambigai Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India 2 Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Address for Correspondence:

Dr. Kesavan R

Thai Moogambigai Dental College and Hospital, Chennai

Email id: - keshavan84@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction: Access to dental care services is a vital aspect of overall health and well-being, yet it is not equally available to all populations. Cultural and language differences are significant barriers to dental care for migrant construction labourers. Many migrants come from countries with healthcare systems that operate differently from those in their host country, leading to misunderstandings or mistrust of the healthcare system. Aim is to assess and observe the barriers to the utilization of dental care services among culturally diverse migrant construction labourers.

Materials and methods: This systematic review was conducted following the standards outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines and the PRISMA declaration. The Randomized and Non randomized trials among the migrant laborer’s population, studies that provided basic dental care to migration workers and among different populations were included. The review trials were excluded, grey literature, Cross-sectional or observational studies and studies done on the elderly were excluded. The sources of systematic reviews were Pubmed, Google Scholar and Cochrane.

Results: From an initial search yielding 124 articles, 4 duplicates were excluded. Screening based on titles led to the exclusion of 75 articles. Automation tools identified 3 articles as ineligible. After reviewing abstracts, 32 articles were excluded. Full texts could not be retrieved for 4 articles. Ultimately, 5 articles did not meet the inclusion criteria, resulting in 1 article that was included in the study.

Conclusion: Due to the low quality of evidence and high risk of bias, a definitive conclusion could not be reached. However, as per the included study, there was significant relevance for barriers to the utilization of dental care services and the socioeconomic status of the migrant construction labourers.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest

How to Cite this article: Kesavan R, Vinita Mary A and Srisakthi D. Barriers to Utilization of Dental Care Services Among Culturally Diverse Migrant Construction Laborers: A Systematic Review. Int J Comm Dent 2024.12(2);50 -57. https://doi.org/10.56501/intjcommunitydent.v12i2.1171

Original Article

Year : 2024 | Volume : 12 | Issue : 1 | Page : 42-49

Dentist's perception and usage of Personal Protective Equipment –A Cross-sectional survey

Vinith Kumar1,Vaishnavi S2*, Soundarya3, Pallavi Ammu Thomas3

1-Undergraduate student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Tagore Dental College, Chennai, 2*-Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Tagore Dental College, Chennai, 3-Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Tagore Dental College, Chennai.

Address for Correspondence:

Vaishnavi. S,

Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Tagore dental college, Chennai-600127

Email-Id: vaishnaviprashanth1@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction: Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to protective clothing, helmets, gloves, face shields, goggles, facemasks and/or respirators or other equipment designed to protect the wearer from injury or the spread of infection or illness. The usage of PPE among health care professionals is increased after Covid 19. Dentists poses high risks to infection due to largernumber of droplets generated during dental procedures. The perception and the usage of Personal Protective Equipment among the dentists may not be same. Hence an online cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among the dentists on perception and usage of Personal Protective Equipment.

Materials and methods: A cross sectional only survey using 20closed-ended questionnaire was conducted to assess the perception and usage of Personal Protective Equipment among dentists. A total of 388 dentists were included in the survey. The study subjects were classified into 3 groups. Group A-Practitioner alone (in Clinic/Hospital), Group B-Academician (Working in academic institution alone without practice) and Group C- Both (clinician and academician).

Results: Most of the dental practitioners who are affiliated to dental colleges as well as having or working in clinician (Group C) had received formal training or demonstration regarding donning and doffing of PPE compared to individual practitioners or academician (Group A and B) and it is statistically significant (P<0.05) and many private practitioner’s faced shortage of PPE compared to academician and both (Private practitioners and academician) which is statistically significant (P<0.05)

Conclusion: Compared to Group A and B academician and clinician individually dental professionals who are working as both academician and clinician (Group C) have better perception and know the proper usage of PPE which might be because of the exposure in both college and clinical setup.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest

How to Cite this article: Vinith Kumar, Vaishnavi. S, Soundarya, & Pallavi Ammu Thomas. (2024). Dentist’s perception and usage of Personal Protective Equipment –A Cross sectional survey: Original Article. International Journal of Community Dentistry, 12(1), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.56501/intjcommunitydent.v12i1.1052