Consulting a Victorian Aboriginal community about their oral health.
Eliza Collins, Tracey Hearn, Julie Satur
PMID 35763446WHAT IT FOUND
Participants described avoiding dental care due to shame, fear of judgment, and traumatic past experiences, often only attending when pain was unbearable.
They identified lecturing clinicians and rushed appointments as key barriers, while valuing community-based services that offered affordability and cultural safety.
Key findings
01Participants stated they avoided dental visits unless in significant pain due to fear of judgment and previous negative experiences.
02Clinician behaviors such as 'lecturing' and body language were reported to increase shame and diminish trust.
03The community valued the ACCHO dental service for its affordability and staff relationships but expressed concerns about privacy in a close-knit community.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study included only 21 participants from a single ACCHO, limiting the breadth of understanding. Recruitment and data collection were impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns, potentially affecting data saturation. The primary researcher was non-Indigenous, which may have influenced participant comfort and responses. Group dynamics in yarning circles may have impacted individual responses.
Declared interests
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these themes as evidence that specific interventions work. This is a qualitative description of barriers and experiences in one community, not a test of a treatment or program.