Objective: Improve the oral health of newly arrived refugees through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's, Refugee Health Assessment Program (RHAP) at Boston Medical Center.
Background/Program Description: Refugees frequently arrive with notable dental problems, poor nutritional status and other chronic, acute and/ or episodic medical and/or psychological conditions. RHAP physician's noted 32% of all refugees (63% children) have significant dental problems, excluding missing teeth, defective fillings or early caries. The majority of refugees have never had an oral exam, dental care, or exposure to fluoridated water or toothpaste.
PROH will assess and address the oral health needs of newly arrived refugees with screenings, education, and referrals to dental care during their initial health assessment. PROH will also educate physicians, nurses and community outreach educators on oral health matters and identify refugees with dental professional training and mentor towards U.S. certification.
Results: During three weeks and 8 clinical sessions, 53 refugees, representing eight countries, seven languages, and ranging from 3-62 years were evaluated. Seventy percent presented with unmet dental needs, of which 13% were referred for urgent care due to extensive caries, pain, infection, swelling, and or soft tissue ulceration present longer than two weeks. Of those asked, 41% had never had an oral exam.
Conclusion: We believe that addressing the oral health needs of newly arrived refugee families contributes to their physical, social, and mental well being. In it's early implementation, PROH appears to provide an effective model for accomplishing this and assuring that refugees with urgent oral health issues promptly receive necessary care.
Keywords: Oral Health Needs, Refugees
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Boston University School of Dental Medicine (BUSDM), Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights(BCRHHR)@Boston Medical Center(BMC),
MA Dept. of Public Health (MA DPH): Refugee Health Assessment Program
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.